In a move aimed at simplifying business processes in the capital, Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena has officially removed the Delhi Police from the task of issuing licenses for various commercial establishments. This includes businesses like hotels, motels, guest houses, restaurants, swimming pools, discotheques, and amusement parks, among others.
Licensing responsibilities for these activities will now be handled by local civic bodies, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), and the Delhi Cantonment Board.
This change eliminates the long-standing requirement for a police-issued no-objection certificate (NOC), a process that many business owners viewed as an unnecessary bureaucratic hurdle.
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From Crime Control to Core Duties
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta praised the move, calling it a practical reform that aligns with the Centre’s broader push for “Ease of Doing Business” and “Maximum Governance, Minimum Government.”
She added that the shift also reflects Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s clear stance that the police force should be focused on what it’s meant to do—maintaining law and order, tackling crime, and handling security—not administrative red tape.
“It’s time to free up our police force from chasing paper,” said Gupta. “We’re working to make Delhi not just India’s political capital, but also a benchmark for efficient governance. That’s the goal of our double-engine government.”
Policing Falls Under the Centre
The Delhi Police, which reports directly to the Union Home Ministry, has long juggled administrative responsibilities alongside law enforcement. With this change, city officials believe the police will be better positioned to respond to the growing demands of public safety and policing in one of the world’s largest urban centers.
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While the transition of licensing powers to civic agencies may not resolve every bottleneck immediately, it marks a significant shift toward reducing red tape for hospitality and entertainment businesses in the capital.
