NDMC to revise policy on licence renewal, transfer

NEW DELHI: New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) will soon come out with a revised policy for renewal or transfer of licences for 3,500 shops in Lutyens' Delhi, said officials.
It held a meeting with traders from Sarojini Nagar, Palika Bhawan, Palika Bazar, and others last week, wherein a demand was raised again for starting the process for renewal or transfer of licences to legal heirs or partners.
Officials said the policy is being deliberated upon and all aspects are being considered by the panel formed, including issues being raised by traders.
"The point related to transferring licences to legal heirs is under consideration. We are also considering the option of fresh auctioning of vacant licensed shops after completion of the licence period. After some observations from the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) in 2020 over the transfer of shops to partners, the process was put on hold," said an official.
"It has to be understood that these shops given onrent to traders actually belong to the Land & Development Office. The panel formed at the council's direction will submit a report on priority at council meetings. Things are expected to take shape in 2-3 months," said the official.
Earlier, licences were renewed every three years. In 2016, a decision was taken to renew them after 10 years, with a 10% increase in fees every year, said traders.
"In the case of transferring shops to partners, an enhanced 30% rent was charged earlier. We request NDMC to reconsider the matter as at many places partnership businesses are being run from these rented shops. We also had a meeting with NDMC vice-chairman Satish Upadhyay," said Atul Diwan of Palika Bhawan Traders' Association.
Ashok Randhawa, president of the Mini Market Traders' Association, said the process is important, especially in cases where people have turned old or died and their children want the licence to be transferred to their names.
Upadhyay said a meeting under section 9 of the NDMC Act is likely to take place on June 20. "We are expecting to get things finalised as the matter has been put on hold since 2018. These shops were auctioned in various categories, including for people rehabilitated in 1947. So we need to consider these aspects positively," said Upadhyay.