The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) on Wednesday said that it would take serious action, including cancellation of licence, if the hotels and restaurants in the Capital exceed their seating capacity beyond 50 persons without obtaining a no-objection certificate from the Fire Department.
Making a submission before the Delhi High Court, the civic body clarified that the Delhi Fire Service Act, 2009, provides that a restaurant with the seating capacity for less than 50 people does not need such a certificate.
NDMC counsel Anil Grover submitted before the Bench of Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw that action would be launched against the restaurants violating the law.
The Court had earlier raised questions about the relevance of the fire safety law which makes it mandatory for restaurants to comply with the norms only if they have a seating capacity for more than 50 persons.
Redevelopment of Khan Market
The Judge had asked during the hearing on a petition filed by a welfare association of Khan Market as to how more than 50 persons required safety, while the lesser number of people could sit without fire safety arrangements.
The petition has sought directions to New Delhi Municipal Council to carry out redevelopment of the community centre in Khan Market by taking fire safety measures and making proper sanitation arrangements.
