The Standing Committee of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) passed a proposal to allow online issuance and renewal of licences for household industries at a meeting on Thursday.
No licence for the same was issued since 2010, when the policy was kept in abeyance, senior officials of the corporation said. While the earlier policy only allowed trade to take place in 25% of the ground floor of a residential building, the new policy will allow licence-holders to undertake trade on 50% of the floor area of each floor, officials said. The proposal also makes it clear that the owner of the house must reside in the house where the industry is set up.
The licence, for which a processing fee of ₹1,000 will be charged, will be valid for one financial year after which it will have to be renewed. Officials also said that after the owner applies for the licence, the final approval will be granted by a high-powered committee set up by the Delhi government.
While polluting industries are prohibited and fire-prone material may not be stored, the new policy lists 112 activities that may be carried out in such establishments, including making agarbattis, non-allopathic medicines, electronic items, sewing machines, typewriters, atta chakki, biscuits, candles, sweets, jute products, computer software and others. Activities that may be carried out in villages have also been listed.