FSSAI Food License

All you need to know about Eating House License Registration

Eating house license is essential for doing business where any sort of food or drink is supplied for consumption legally. As per the Delhi Police Act, a license is essential for operating an eating house. This license is required when opening a food business in India. In this article, we shall have a complete understanding of this license.

Eating House-Definition

Eating house is a term used to denote a place to which the public are admitted and wherein any sort of food or drink is supplied for consumption legally. This includes all shops, restaurants, food trucks, cafes, dhabas, and any establishments that provide food or drink. 

Who issues the eating house license?

This license is mandatory under the Delhi Police Act^[1], and it should be applied under the City/State Police Headquarters and the Police Commissioner. This authority shall issue the license after the documents are verified.

What is the procedure for Eating House License application?

The procedure for obtaining license involves the following steps:

• The applicant is required to register on the registration page of the official website of the state where such an eating house is intended to be established. On registration, the applicant will receive a user id and password.
• Thereafter fill the application for license and upload the required documents. The list of documents required are explained in the next segment. 
•  Once all documents are submitted, the applicant is required to visit the additional commissioner of police of the relevant state in order to verify the application and to examine the documents.
• The applicant is required to all the concerned department for a follow up on the application. In case where the application is rejected due to any incomplete information or any malafide information, the fee paid shall be forfeited by the government.
• Finally, the eating house license shall be issued within a time span of 45-60 days, provided the application and the documents submitted are adequate. 

Documents required to be uploaded

The following documents are required to be uploaded along with the application:

• Location plan of the eating house;
• Photographs of the eating house location;
• A fire safety certification (required for eating houses that seats at least 50 people at a time;
• The proof of surveillance systems or CCTV that has been installed with a minimum of 30 days video recording comprising the installation or  details of invoice concerning CCTV etc.;
• Ownership proof or tenancy or lease of premise;
• NOC from the owner of the premises;
• Permission from Indian Performing Right Society to have amusement activities;
• Identity proof of the applicant such as the Passport, PAN card;
• Residence proof  of the applicant like Passport, voter id, etc.;
• MOA of the eating house;
• The certification of incorporation of companies;
• Trade license from DCB/MCD/NDMC;
• FSSAI License copy/registration papers;
• A copy of Police clearance certificate;
• A self attested affidavit for issuance of the new license

Eating House License Renewal

The renewal of the license shall take place when the license validity comes to an end. Such validity of the license depends upon the issuing authority, which means the validity of the license shall vary from state to state. The license is usually valid for three years. The process of renewal is similar to that of applying for a new license.

Cancellation of the License

Under the following circumstances the authority responsible for granting the license reserves the right to cancel the License:

• In case where the applicant violates any guideline issued at the time of license issuance or if the applicant doesn’t follow the given instructions, the authority may cancel the license but only after providing the applicant a chance of being heard.
• In case where the applicant desires to shut the eating house for some reasons, the applicant may apply to the authority for surrender of the license.  Accordingly, the authority shall cancel the license.

Duplicate License

If the eating house license in India somehow gets torn, damaged, or deteriorated, the applicant may apply for a duplicate license along with prescribed fees. The authority shall grant a duplicate license after the evaluation of the application.

What are the benefits of having an eating house license?

An applicant having this license can enjoy the following benefits:

• Reputation

Having this license will improve the reputation of the applicant as people tend to go to a place that complies with all rules and regulations.

• Lesser burden

An applicant possessing this license will be free of burden from the state or local authorities. When the registration is obtained from the authority, the eating house business can commence.

• Save money

Businesses should acquire this license before they commence their business. The actual cost of license is less as compared to what one has to pay for the penalties if you are caught.

• Bank loans

This license can make it relatively easier for you to get bank loans and funding in case it’s required for expansion.

Eating House License Delhi

This license can be obtained in Delhi as well by simply filing an application in appropriate format and attaching the required documents with the Commissioner of Police, Delhi. Such an application should be filed along with the prescribed fee.

When the verification is completed, a follow up with the authority can be made in order to check the status of the application. It may be noted that the authority may reject the application in case of any error; therefore, it is advisable to consult a professional lawyer to sail through the process.

Conclusion

Food businesses in India are firing on all cylinders at the moment, and it looks to be the business model to go for.  However, setting up such business is not as easy as it is to say. You will be required to address compliances and go through the registration process. Authorities are not taking it lightly as it is a matter of people’s health. Therefore the above mentioned compliances are to be followed in order to get Eating House License.

Read our article:License Required to Open a Cafe in India