New Delhi, Oct 23 The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has said that 349 banquet halls in Delhi have valid Health Trade Licences, and that they do not have permission to operate in residential areas.
The civic body further said that it does not maintain separate data on those functioning in industrial areas.
The MCD disclosed this on Thursday while replying to a question by BJP councillor Amit Nagpal on the operation of banquet halls and restaurants in residential neighbourhoods.
However, it did not provide a breakdown of how many operate in residential areas or details of their locations, ward-wise revenue and tax payments. The MCD also said that there are 35 industrial areas in Delhi and that banquet halls can operate there only in accordance with the sanctioned building plan and applicable rules under the Master Plan for Delhi 2021 and the Unified Building Bye-Laws, 2016. It added that no separate data was maintained on banquet halls operating in industrial areas.
The civic body said separate licences could be issued for individual floors only if each floor had the required facilities, lawful occupancy and an approved building plan, adding that the kitchen and dining area must also be located within the same premises.
The MCD further said conversion charges had been collected from most banquet halls and that surveys were underway to identify establishments that had not paid the dues.
Action would be taken against those found in violation under the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957, it said.
The MCD also clarified that the licensing policy did not permit the use of rooftops for banquet hall activities.
On property tax, the corporation said charges were levied based on the total area of a property and other prescribed parameters, with basements included in the assessment.
Restaurants were taxed under the applicable commercial property tax rules, it added.
The reply did not provide the requested establishment-wise details of property tax payments or annual revenue generated from banquet halls and restaurants in different wards.
The MCD’s Advertisement Department collected Rs 62.01 crore in revenue from self-signage during the 2024-25 financial year, according to the reply. However, it did not specify how much revenue was generated from advertising boards installed at banquet halls and restaurants.
The corporation also clarified that OYO, an online booking platform used by lodging and boarding establishments, was not issued a Health Trade Licence in its own name.
(PTI News)
