MCD Plans unified licensing policy for meat shops | Fusion - WeRIndia

In a bid to establish consistency in licensing fees and regulations for meat shops, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is preparing to launch a new licensing policy.

It will encompass all 12 MCD zones, eradicating discrepancies that existed across north, south, and east corporations.

This comprehensive proposal is set to be presented during the upcoming House meeting.

Among the key provisions of this new policy is a stipulation that meat shops must be situated at a minimum distance of 150 meters from religious places.

This directive aims to address concerns related to the proximity of such establishments to places of worship and religious significance.

The proposal further recommends the implementation of a fixed fee structure for issuing and renewing licenses.

Under this structure, meat shops will be subject to fees up to ₹18,000, while processing units may face fees of up to ₹1.5 lakh.

The move towards uniformity in licensing policies is a significant step forward, as the north, south, and east corporations previously operated with their distinct licensing regulations.

The veterinary department has highlighted platforms that are designated for the sale of chicken and fish. These were allocated by the DDA and other government agencies a few years ago.

The new policy intends to bring these smaller outlets into the fold of registered and legally regulated establishments.

As outlined in the proposal, the fees for new licenses or license renewals for meat shops are structured as follows: ₹7,000 for one year, ₹12,000 for two years, and ₹18,000 for three years. In addition, a processing fee of ₹500 has to be paid.

For the transfer of a shop’s license to a legal heir following the owner’s passing, a fee of ₹5,500 will apply.

In cases where a meat shop or premises is sealed due to violations, a processing fee of ₹20,000 will be levied for the first-time de-sealing. For subsequent violations, the fee will increase to ₹50,000.

The policy also introduces guidelines regarding the proximity of meat shops to religious places, mandating a minimum distance of 150 meters between the two.

However, this requirement will not apply to the renewal of licenses for shops in existence before the policy’s approval.

Notably, the policy specifies that the size of meat shops in residential areas should not exceed 20 square meters.

In commercial areas or on notified roads with mixed-land use, there will be no such size limitation.

For meat processing, packaging, and storage plants, the fees for new licenses mirror those for meat shops and remain consistent for license renewals.

This proposed policy represents a significant step towards achieving uniformity and regulation in the licensing of meat shops in Delhi.

It aims to address issues related to their location and ensure consistent fees and standards.

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