Latest news with #No-ObjectionCertificates
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Unease in Delhi Police: ‘If we have to manage law & order at these places, we must have a say'
The decision to withdraw powers from the Licensing unit of Delhi Police for obtaining permission or No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) for hotels, eateries, discotheques, amusement parks, swimming pools, and auditoriums has created unease within the police brass. The Indian Express spoke to police officers, serving and retired, who said that since they are the first line of defence in tragedies, divorcing them from the process may not be the 'best move'. Former Delhi Police commissioner, S N Srivastava, said, 'While it is the government's prerogative to allocate responsibility to its departments, I do not subscribe to the view that the issue of licence for such places of gathering does not have law and order implications. If police have to manage law and order arising out of gathering at these places, it requires a say in such matters.' 'At present, most processes of issue of licence have been made online. Multiple agencies can offer their input on the issue of license in a time-bound manner. There is always scope for improvement. Transferring work from one to another is not always a solution,' Srivastava added. A senior police officer currently in the force said, 'There are several incidents that occur at such places – people get stuck in lifts or drown in swimming pools, incidents are even reported at amusement parks – which are investigated by us. Then why the power to assign these licences have been taken away from us?' Another officer said that even if the process had to be streamlined, inputs and suggestions on how to ensure compliance and safety should have been incorporated into the new process. 'If there is an issue regarding law and order at an amusement park, it very much falls in the domain of the Delhi Police, but if the police officers are kept out, what is the point?' another senior officer said. Sakshi Chand is working as an Assistant Editor with the Indian Express. She has over a decade of experience in covering crime, prisons, traffic and human interest stories. She has also covered the communal clashes in Kasganj, Aligarh, Trilokpuri riots as well as the North-East Delhi riots. Apart from being a journalist, she is also a National level basketball player and a coach. Before joining the Indian Express, she was working for The Times of India. ... Read More
Indian Express
7 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Hotels, restaurants, discotheques in Capital no longer need to approach Delhi Police for NOCs. Here's why
Owners of establishments such as hotels, eateries, discotheques, amusement parks, and auditoriums in the Capital will no longer need to approach police for permission or No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) to run their operations. In a recent order, Delhi Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Vinai Kumar Saxena has withdrawn the sanction power of the Delhi Police in such matters. The Delhi Police's licensing branch will now only deal with the grant or sanction of arms licences and licence for explosives, the order stated. In the June 19 order that was circulated on Sunday, L-G Saxena stated, '…in exercise of powers under section 28 (2) read with section 4 of Delhi Police Act, 1978, I hereby withdraw the sanction granted to Commissioner of Police, Delhi, for issuance of regulations under Section 28 (1) of the Delhi Police Act, 1978, covering the seven activities mentioned at Para 1.' These include hotels, swimming pools, eating houses, discotheques, video game parlours, amusement parks, and auditoriums. In his order, the L-G directed the Commissioner of Police to issue a notification 'repealing the said regulations with immediate effect'. The order further said, 'The repeal notification shall be given wide publicity by Delhi Police and Home Department.' The order noted that the Centre, with an intention to achieve the motto of 'minimum government and maximum governance', has taken up an initiative to reduce multiple licensing regimes, being followed in different states and Union Territories (UTs), and requested simplifying licensing procedures. Citing two court orders, L-G Saxena said the Delhi High Court, in a 2003 judgment pertaining to Uphaar Cinema tragedy, had recommended that 'Delhi Police should only be concerned with Law and Order, and entrusting of responsibility of licensing on the police force is an additional burden…' Citing a Supreme Court judgment that affirmed the recommendations of the HC, the L-G said it had also suggested that 'the existing system of police granting licences should be abolished'. According to L-G Saxena, a committee under the chairmanship of the then Additional Chief Secretary (Home), with officers of Delhi Police, Law and IT Department of Delhi government as members, was constituted to look into the entire gamut of licence/NOCs/permissions, being granted by the licensing branch, and their relevance in the changed scenario. The L-G's order stated that while observing that Delhi Police is facing shortage of staff, it was recommended that the force 'be relieved of the responsibilities of regulating licences in the respect of seven trades.' Noting that authorities such as the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (MCD) and Cantonment Board have also framed regulations for trade activities, the L-G's order stated that 'overlapping of regulations issued under Delhi Police Act, 1978, and Municipal Laws, by multiple authorities…is impinging the overall ease of doing business.' L-G Saxena said some 'progressive states', like Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa, have already done away with the requirement of licences from police for these trade categories. Before issuing the order, L-G Saxena had examined the matter in terms of section 21 of the General Clauses Act, 1897, in consultation with the Law Department of the Delhi government, and found that 'he is well within his powers to direct the Commissioner of Police to rescind the relevant regulations'. According to the licensing unit's website, 'A need was felt to regulate public places like hotels/guest houses, eating houses, cinema halls, auditoriums, swimming pools, amusement parks etc, which receive frequent and heavy foot falls, from Law & Order, public convenience, safety and traffic management point of view… various provisions relating to licensing and registration of such entities were made in the Delhi Police Act-1978.' It further stated, '…This regulatory mechanism has stood the test of time and proved to be best suited for serving the citizens of Delhi. Certain powers, which were earlier vested with the District Magistrate, were transferred to the Commissioner of Police under Section 146 of The Delhi Police Act 1978… Licensing Unit has emerged today as one of the important 'Image Hubs' of Delhi Police.'
Indian Express
07-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
MHADA extends amnesty scheme for housing societies awaiting occupancy certificates until December 31
In a huge relief to housing societies that are waiting for occupancy certificates, the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) has also extended the time for its two current special amnesty schemes until December 31, 2025. The extension, sanctioned under the supervision of MHADA's vice-president and CEO Sanjeev Jaiswal is likely to benefit almost 80 housing societies in Mumbai. The extension is for two schemes: one for issuing occupancy certificates (OC) to redeveloped buildings under the 1991 Development Control Regulations (DCR), and another for waiving interest on additional premium amounts charged during redevelopment under MHADA's jurisdiction. According to Authority Resolution No. 6260, MHADA's Mumbai Board will continue to waive interest on pending additional premiums levied on housing societies. These societies will now pay only the principal amount, relieving the financial burden that has slowed the granting of occupancy certificates for most projects. At the same time, the Building Permission Cell is also offering an amnesty scheme for buildings redeveloped under DCR 1991. The scheme gives a 'concession' of up to 75 per cent on penalty charges imposed for unauthorised use of rooms like enclosed flowerbeds or balconies and minor variations from approved plans. It will be applicable to buildings that took building permissions under DCR 1991 till November 12, 2018. Several societies were issued No-Objection Certificates (NOC) or Letters of Intent (LoI) between 29 July 2004 and 4 June 2007 and were subsequently requested to pay extra premiums, but on account of non-payment, their occupancy certificates are pending. Consequently, people occupying these societies have been faced with increased utility bills, tax dues, and inconveniences in the sale or transfer of the flat. 'While physically, the majority of buildings have been completed and are transferred to the societies by developers, the financial liability of outstanding premium payments has stayed with the societies as well as members. The interest waiver scheme now provides them with a realistic route to regularisation,' a MHADA spokesperson said. Where building plans have been changed above approved limits, a 75 per cent concession on penalty is permissible under the amnesty scheme, subject to recovery of fees on revised plans.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Scott Boland facing $5.6 million blow amid major news about Josh Hazlewood
Josh Hazlewood is expected to return to India next week and play in the remainder of the IPL season for Royal Challengers Bangalore - in a blow to Scott Boland's chances of playing in the World Test Championship final against South Africa. Australia's IPL players returned home from India last week following border tension with Pakistan escalating, which halted the tournament. With the tournament set to resume, Australian players have been given permission by Cricket Australia to stay on in the IPL until the final, extending No-Objection Certificates and leaving players to make their own call. Five members of Australia's World Test Championship squad are currently playing in the IPL. However, Aussie captain Pat Cummins and Travis Head will both be finished by May 26, with Sunrisers Hyderabad out of finals contention. There has been plenty of suggestions Hazlewood shouldn't push himself to return to play due to a niggling shoulder injury, with the WTC final coming up against South Africa in a few weeks. This comes as South Africa are set to give their players a rest before the showdown at Lord's. South Africa have once again flipped and confirmed their players will return home to train for the WTC final before the end of the IPL. The eight players, Kagiso Rabada, Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen, Tristan Stubbs, Lungi Ngidi, Wiaan Mulder, Ryan Rickelton and Corbin Bosch will head to England and join South Africa's WTC final squad on May 30. Update: Josh Hazlewood expected to arrive in India in the latter half of next week. #IPL2025 — Vishesh Roy (@vroy38) May 15, 2025 But Australia's players are allowed to remain in India and some of them could potentially play in the IPL final only eight days out from the WTC final. This is not ideal with Hazlewood surely needing a rest before taking part in the Test match. But reports from India suggest Hazlewood will return late next week to link back up with his Bangalore teammates having made progress with his recovery. The Aussie missed the start of the 2025 red-ball season having injured himself in the Test series against India. He only recently returned to cricket where he has starred for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Hazlewood was the leading wicket-taker of the tournament before his injury, with his franchise sitting second on the ladder. His form has suggested to selectors he is ready to jump straight back into the Test team to take on South Africa. Unfortunately, this will likely come at the expense of Boland. Australia will be defending their WTC crown against South Africa in June and the winners will pocket $US3.6 million ($A5.61m), more than double what Australia earned for winning the 2023 crown. There are a number of dilemmas facing the selectors, with Cameron Green set to return to the starting line-up. And speaking on the 'Willow Talk' podcast this week, Aussie women's captain Healy said she believes Boland will miss out with Hazlewood set to return. She also endorsed the return of Green to the line-up, which will prompt a controversial reshuffle of the side with Sam Konstas potentially missing out. "Personally, I think you have to include Cam Green, so what does that do to your line-up?" she said. "Well someone's going to have to shift. I think Sam Konstas is going to sit on the sideline. Boland's probably the other one that is going to sit on the sideline." Healy is suggesting the out-of-form Marnus Labuschagne will move up the order and open with Usman Khawaja - to accomodate Green at No.4. This will be controversial with Labuschagne struggling for form across the last 18 months. Healy feels Beau Webster's form will see him remain in the side and offer a fourth fast-bowling option on the Lord's pitch. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Willow Talk (@willowtalkpodcast) Labuschagne only averaged 25.36 with the bat across the summer after a largely disappointing series against India and then again in Sri Lanka. That came after an equally underwhelming previous year for Labuschagne, where he averaged just 27.08 across the summer of 2023/24. Labuschagne's return to Sheffield Shield with Queensland didn't fare much better as he registered scores of 23, 0 and 61 in his three innings and was powerless to help his side beat South Australia in the final.
Deccan Herald
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Nepal lawmakers urge govt to stop sending Nepalese students to KIIT, Odisha
They proposed denying No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) to any student seeking enrolment at the institute, according to the Parliament Secretariat sources.
