In order to save 112 types of non-polluting small-scale household industries from the ambit of sealing, South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) has changed the definition of household units, allowing them to use over 50 per cent of the area wherein 5 KW electricity connection will be sanctioned and not more than five workers will be allowed to work on such premises.
With this decision, thousands of people who run units such as packing, wool-knitting machine, sewing machine, sweets, jute products, computer software workshop for vehicle repair, units making incense sticks(agarbattis), khadi and handloom and candles etc will have sigh of relief, said an official. The civic body has already given its nod to online policy for issuance and renewal of license under this category.
A senior SDMC official said that it is essential for the owner to reside in the same building where household industry would be set up. Fire prone material will also not be allowed to be stored in these industries and pollution generating industries are prohibited under the rule, he said.
Prior to this, only 25 per cent area of ground floor was allowed for setting up household industries, henceforth the same can be established over 50 per cent area in any floor.
The official also said that it will be essential to have a separate single phase industrial electricity connection for sanctioning of license. The license shall be valid for a single financial year which could be renewed for the next year, he said. He further said that such industries are not allowed in group housing societies but the same is allowed in Janta Flats.
Standing Committee Chairperson Shikha Rai said that the rules and provisions of the MPD 2021 will be applicable for sanctioning and renewing of license. Rai said that the house hold industry to be set up under the new policy will create employment opportunities for thousands of persons and it will pave the way for economic prosperity of large number of families. "For submission of online application, one has to submit Rs 1,000 as processing fee, proof of ID, ownership of the building and copy of electricity bill and other required documents," she said.
Traders in the national capital were hit hard after building department of the municipal corporations had started sealing business establishments for non-payment of conversion charges, encroachment, and illegal construction on the instructions of the Supreme Court-appointed monitoring committee. In the drive started in December 2017, thousands of shops including many small household industries were sealed.
"Sealing of commercial units being run from private houses created chaos as people ran from pillar to the post seeking justice. The move by the SDMC to redefine household units will bring much needed relief", said a trader whose own fabrication unit was sealed.
