Lalbazar to shut down unlicensed restaurants, shops in Kolkata from April 1

The validity of police licenses expires on April 1, making it mandatory for businesses to obtain a police license. The Police Commissioner has issued warnings to some traders in the city. Applications for this license can be submitted online through Kolkata Police's ‘Bandhu App.’ Legal action will be taken against tea stalls, paan-cigarette shops, restaurants, and hotels operating without a valid police license.

According to sources in Lalbazar, obtaining a police license is mandatory for businesses involved in selling food products in Kolkata. Additionally, hotel and bar owners must also have a police license. However, Lalbazar police officials state that many traders are unaware that obtaining a police license is compulsory. This lack of awareness is why Kolkata Police has conducted special drives in recent months.

During raids, several traders admitted that they believed a trade license was sufficient to operate a business, and that restaurants required only a food license. They were unaware that a police license was also mandatory. Traders were informed that even if a shop sells cold drinks or keeps ice cream along with other products, they must possess a police license.

Police officers are also visiting business centers and markets to meet with trade associations or market committees. As a result of these continuous actions, traders have become significantly more aware, leading to a notable increase in the number of new police licenses issued. For example, in North Kolkata alone, nearly 800 new police licenses have been issued in the past year.

In recent directives issued by Police Commissioner Manoj Verma, it has been stated that police licenses for tea stalls, eateries, sweet shops, restaurants, food-serving hotels, paan-cigarette shops, and any shop selling food products will expire on April 1. Business owners can apply for a police license through the ‘Bandhu Portal’ between April 1 and June 30. Traders must specify which products, including food items, they sell.

Furthermore, police licenses are also mandatory for liquor shops, bars, clubs, and cinema halls, regardless of whether a bar is present. The police have warned that legal action will be taken against any shop, restaurant, hotel, or bar operating without a valid license.