Karnataka hospitals don’t need trade licence now

BENGALURU: In an attempt to provide better healthcare infrastructure, the state health and family welfare department has exempted medical establishments from the requirement of getting trade licences to function across Karnataka.
The department has issued a circular to this effect. The circular cites that the healthcare establishments are in the business of public service and not trade per se and therefore, they need not have a trade licence while getting registered or renewing the registration.
Also, the establishments need not produce building occupancy certificates during online registration as they were facing troubles in uploading the same. Instead Khata/tax paid receipt/rental agreement/lease agreement will be enough for the purpose. The registration will be auto-renewed on payment of the required fee.
The department has exempted the medical establishments from uploading the documents and once the prescribed fee is paid, the license is auto renewed.
The department has also done with inspections that precede registration and renewal of registration.
Asked about hospitals and medical establishments whose licenses were suspended for not treating Covid19 patients, a senior health official said, “They can run the operations as it was earlier also done. However, a case will be booked against them for not reserving 50% of beds for Covid-19 patients and the legal proceedings will go on.”