Recreational Trade Covered by MCD Regulations in Delhi | Latest Delhi News

Several forms of “new recreational activities” such as laser shows, digital and live games like “mystery rooms”, holographic projections and even live music performances at eateries that require purchase of tickets have been brought under the city corporation’s trade license regulations, senior MCD officials said on Monday.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena on Monday launched a ‘public entertainment portal’ at the NDMC Convention Centre, which will streamline and facilitate the licensing process for recreational activities, including these new professions. The portal will also cover new professions that are yet to be regulated.

Any company that fails to obtain a licence can be held liable under the provisions of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, the above-mentioned officials said.

Under the new licensing regime for ‘entertainment activities’, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has also licensed several recreational activities that were previously unregulated.

“Earlier, there was no regulation to regulate activities like ‘mystery rooms’, laser shows, holographic projects and similar activities, but now all of them will be subject to medical activity licenses,” the official said, adding that the MCD will now issue licenses for such activities, which are carried out in permanent locations such as banquet halls, eateries, hostels and guest houses, as well as in temporary locations such as tents, canopies, fences or open spaces.

The licence would cover a variety of entertainment activities such as live music, singing, dancing, electronic/digital/laser shows, as well as holographic projections and virtual performances.

“The organiser will have to submit a site plan of the licensed commercial premises, which has an area earmarked for entertainment activities. The establishment seeking the licence will have to submit an affidavit stating that no additional seating will be added beyond the permitted seating. The MCD will issue the licence for a period of three years or less as per the application received,” the official said.

A circular issued by the MCD dated June 14, 2024, states that the license will cover any form of gaming or other entertainment or recreation where the public is allowed to enter for a fee or with the intention of collecting money. “Basically, the activity should be recreational in nature and should be ticketed. If the activity meets these two criteria, it has to be licensed. It will also cover mystery rooms as well as ticketed areas in public fairs like Ramleela or festival fairs etc.,” said an official on condition of anonymity.

The one-time registration fee for such licenses has been maintained at the level ₹15,000 with annual license fee ₹10,000. As per the conditions stipulated in the licensing scheme, the facility will have to provide drinking water in accordance with the gathering of people, sanitation facilities, pest control measures, ensuring solid and liquid waste management and among other facilities.

MCD officials said that temporary establishments can be licensed for a period of one year or less. “In case of auditoriums which already have a license to trade in health services under Section 422 of the DMC Act, 1957, there is no need for a separate license to run an entertainment business,” the official explained. The official quoted above said that venues without these licenses can be closed down and fines can be imposed on them under the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act.

Portal launch

LG Saxena, speaking at the launch ceremony, said, “Over the last two years, several steps have been taken to streamline licensing regulations and procedures, including the launch of a unified portal for food and lodging establishments, improved opening hours for bars and restaurants, an outdoor dining policy and 24×7 permits for establishments. We have now launched a unified portal for entertainment businesses, which will simplify the licensing process for establishments including amusement parks, auditoriums and video gaming arcades in the capital,” Saxena said.

The portal has been developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), MCD and the Delhi Police licensing unit. “The project is based on the existing portal for licensing of food and lodging establishments developed in 2023 and currently covers performances in licensed and unlicensed establishments, amusement parks, auditoriums etc.,” the official said. The applicant will be able to apply on the online platform and several departments, including MCD, Delhi Fire Department and Delhi Police, will be on a single platform to ensure better coordination and parallel processing.