Welcome to Delhi Police Licensing
The rapid urbanization and industrialization of Delhi, its evolving Cosmopolitan character, growing business activities, complex Law & Order/Crime situation were some of the objective reasons for the recommendation of Commissionerate system of Policing in the National Capital of Delhi by Justice Khosla Commission. The same came into existence through Delhi Police Act -1978. The system has been working without any glitch, since then, securing the National Capital and providing safety to the residents of Delhi. 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. Besides, the grant/sanction of Arms Licenses and license for Explosives to the genuine people also required to be regulated. Keeping the aforesaid consideration in view, various provisions relating to Licensing and Registration of such entities were made in the Delhi Police Act-1978. 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 u/s 146 of The Delhi Police Act 1978. The powers were further delegated upon Joint/ Additional Commissioner of Police, who heads Licensing Unit, Delhi Police and is responsible for the implementation of these provisions of Licensing and Regulation of activities.
The legal powers for the various licenses are drawn from Delhi Police Act, 1978, other Central laws and various Rules and Regulations, thereunder. The licensing system provides an important regulatory leverage, empowering Police to successfully manage law & order, ensure public safety, curb crimes and thereby serve the society in a better and transparent manner. The main objective is to preserve public order, regulate traffic and prevent obstructions, inconvenience and danger to the citizens through a transparent system. Functioning of the Licensing Branch has grown multifold over the years, both in terms of number of citizens served and also in terms of technological upgradation. It is committed to provide quality service promptly so as to bring Delhi Police closer to the citizens. Licensing Unit has emerged today, as one of the important ‘Image Hub’ of Delhi Police.
In last few years, a major reorientation of the role of the Licensing Unit has been brought about within the existing statutes. The important roles and responsibilities of the Licensing Unit has been re-defined by three I’s – Issuance of Licenses, Inspection of entities and Interaction with stake holders. While performing this onerous task, there is continuous evolution of the systems and processes of the unit by the infusion of technology, digitization and transformation of professional culture, with public convenience in mind. Continuous efforts are being made to ensure “ease of doing business”, in compliance to the clarion call given by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, with citizen-centric approach.
By taking the license holders on board as partners and collaborating/coordinating with all other stakeholders like various Civic Agencies and other Government/Statutory authorities, the regulatory process has been made smooth and transparent. The Licensing Unit has also adopted the principle of “Management by Exception”, by which the majority of license holders are afforded all possible assistance within the ambit of law and only the anomalous cases which deviate from the normal are taken up for in-depth scrutiny. This is a major cultural and professional shift in the functioning, from past.
In a time, when simplification of regulatory procedures and digital-transformations are the guiding principles for any Government organization, the Licensing Unit of Delhi Police has also not stayed behind. In the ongoing reformatory process, several important initiatives were continued in the year 2020, as well.
- E-Arms License Module was made fully operational to ensure seamless end-to- end service from the receipt of application to issuance of license. All other allied services like Renewal, Addition, Conversion, Deletion, Sale permission, Renewal for Banks and Institutions, Extension of Quota of Cartridge for shooters, Issuance of additional license for individuals, Issuance of Travelling License, etc. have been made online. All decisions are taken by different empowered decision levels online, to ensure prompt and transparent service delivery
- Online Module for Casual performance License has been streamlined for providing speedy, transparent and efficient service for issue of Casual Performance Licenses to both Licensed and Unlicensed Premises. In the year 2020, applications for Durga Pooja, Deepawali, Ramlila performances were received online and digitally signed licenses were issued, after receiving online reports from the Districts/ Traffic units.
- Unified Portal for Licensing of Eating/Lodging Establishments launched on 1st October, 2019, as a Single Window Online System (Unified Portal) for licensing of eating houses/lodging houses in Delhi has been made completely online. All applications for grant/renewal of licenses to Eating/Lodging Establishments are now received through the Unified portal only. Despite, Covid- 19 pandemic constraints, the system has got stabilized, making the process of Licensing of Eating/Lodging Establishment more user friendly, prompt and transparent.
In order to ensure that the licensing process becomes easy and transparent and maximum convenience is provided to the citizens (customers) in dealing with the Unit, following initiatives have also been taken:
- Applicant can choose their own day/ time for availing Service: An applicant can schedule an appointment for renewing various services on date and time of his/her choice and convenience.
- Advance antecedent verification system: has been introduced in order to facilitate timely renewal of Arms License. Verification process is initiated for all Arms Licenses, due for renewal in the next two months. The applicants are also notified to apply for renewal by means of SMS through the same module.
- Online System created for end-to-end file processing across several licensing authorities: A provision in the licensing software has been made for transfer of files relating to extension of Area Validity to Home Department, GNCTD in digital form with a dedicated NIC e-mail ID, which shall later be integrated with the e-office system.
- Digital payments/Promotion of Cashless system: The applicants have been provided with various electronic options to pay various fees through Debit/Credit/Internet Banking and UPI.
For better Service Delivery, a number of initiatives were taken for the improvement of infrastructure to present not just a pleasant ambience but also an enabling work environment for the staff. Some of them are as follows:
- Modular work stations equipped with computers, internet and intranet connectivity and EPABX connectivity.
- Electronic Data Processing Centre with dedicated servers and centralized UPS power backup. y Conference room equipped with interactive panel for VC and presentation etc.
- Training Room both for the staff and other stake-holders equipped with interactive panel and other training tools.
- Visitors’ Lounge
- Enhancement of security of IT systems: To enhance the security over LAN and increase productivity, server and firewall have been procured.
COVID –19 Helpdesk a dedicated Delhi Police Helpline fully manned by the Licensing Unit was operationalized (24X7), to resolve issues related to lockdown through direct intervention, as far as possible.
- It handled distress calls by migrants and ordinary citizens who needed various kinds of assistance due to the lock-down like food, money, movement passes and permission for emergency travel within city and across borders. It also reached out to the senior citizens and women living alone as well as other vulnerable sections of the society.
- ‘Hunger Mapping’ of food related calls was done and a centralized distribution was put in place with the assistance of Delhi Armed Police for a systematic food network, so that rations and food packets promptly reach the needy people.
- Movement pass issuing system by Delhi Police was conceptualized and created by the Licensing Unit, as many people had to move out of their homes for essential and emergency services. This online system allowed them to apply for the movement passes from home and get it on their mobile phones, which could be used for their movement. This system proved very useful, as it obviated the need to physically queue up at District Police Offices for getting pass.
Licensing process is dynamic and ever-changing. The need is to keep evolving and adapting, so that the regulatory process becomes more and more citizen friendly, simple and transparent. The goal is to ensure that the genuine applicants and those who do not violate the law are provided as much convenience and prompt service, as possible. With this in mind, the unit has lined up several projects in the near future.
The ultimate aim is to bring about a digital transformation of the licensing unit to achieve the objective of maximum governance and minimum government as advocated by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. This would entail both infusion of technology accompanied by process re-engineering and attitudinal/cultural change, so that it becomes a transparent, smooth and citizen friendly organization. A significant step in this direction has already been taken with the initiation and implementation of several online systems, as described above.
The selection of Licensing unit as a pilot to launch the e-Office initiative in Delhi Police and its successful commissioning has already created a strong foundation for making the functioning of the Unit, completely paperless. The Unit is going to achieve this milestone very soon, making it one of the very few government organizations to do so. This will ultimately make the regulatory mechanism and associated processes more transparent, fair and quick. The initiative will prove to be a beacon for other regulatory organizations in the country.
Team Licensing of Delhi Police is committed to provide a transparent and efficient licensing eco-system for the citizens of Delhi. The main objective is to preserve public order, regulate traffic and prevent obstructions, inconvenience and danger to the citizens. The Unit is entrusted with the responsibility 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. Besides, the grant/sanction of Arms Licenses and license for Explosives to the genuine people also required to be regulated.