Quick approvals, licences: Delhi govt. expands time-bound service delivery network

The Delhi government has brought 23 additional services under the Delhi (Right Of Citizen To Time Bound Delivery Of Services) Act, 2011 to ensure quicker delivery of services within fixed deadlines, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) stated in a release on Monday.

Following the revision, approval of factory plans by the Labour Department will be granted within 15 days while registration under the Shops and Establishments Act will be completed within a day. The Delhi Jal Board will provide sewerage connections within 15 days, among other services, said the CMO.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the decision will directly benefit the common people as well as businesses associated with trade, hospitality, tourism, construction and services sectors. She said the government’s objective is to ensure that citizens and businesses receive services within a defined time frame, and that important approvals, licences, registrations and no-objection certificates (NOCs) issued by various departments are delivered within stipulated timelines.

Bringing additional services within the ambit of the services delivery Act, she added, will reduce unnecessary delays and minimise the need for visits to government offices.

‘Safeguarding rights’

Ms. Gupta said the government remains committed to making the city more conducive to investment, business, and employment opportunities and that the time-bound service delivery mechanism will not only safeguard citizens’ rights but also strengthen administrative accountability.

With the inclusion of new services, the Forest and Wildlife Department will dispose of applications seeking permission for tree felling under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act within 60 days.

The Public Works Department will grant permissions related to road cutting and associated works within 45 days, and the registration of builders and agents under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act will be completed within 30 days.

“There were about 500 services that were already covered under the Act. Action could be taken against officials concerned for not adhering to the deadlines,” a source at the CMO said.

Set timelines

“Hotel registrations or operational permissions and slaughterhouse licences will also be granted within 60 days. Permission for the installation of mobile towers will be provided within 30 days, while approval for the storage of construction material will be available within a single day,” read the CMO statement.

“The Agriculture Department will complete processes related to pesticide control operation licences, sales registrations and seed licences within 21 days each. Under the Excise Department, bar licences will be issued within 30 days, while brand and label registrations under both the IMFL (Indian-Made Foreign Liquor) and FL (Foreign Liquor) categories will be completed within 42 days,” it added.

Other services

Similarly, registrations of water sports and adventure sports operators, and approvals for operating amusement parks, will be issued within 60 days.

NOCs from local bodies required for obtaining State licences for food businesses will be issued within 60 days.

Applications related to electricity meters will be processed within 60 days. Registration of weighing and measuring instruments used in commercial establishments under Legal Metrology will be completed within 45 days. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee will issue authorisations related to the collection, transportation and recycling of battery waste within 15 days.