Licensing Regulations to come into effect after changes
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Aizawl, January 20 2014 :
The contentious and dissented Aizawl Municipal Council (AMC) Licensing Regulations, 2012, will soon come into effect after necessary improvements have been made in the regulations, as has been resolved by AMC Board meeting.
Earlier, Mizoram Merchant Association ( MIMA) had disapproved AMC Regulation 2012 and termed it as unsafe.
MIMA had also said the Aizawl Municipal Council (AMC)'s demand of every entrepreneur and merchant group to register themselves in Aizawl Municipal Council as per the Aizawl Municipal Council Licensing Regulation, 2012' and it is found that the regulation does not provide any right for protection and safeguarding of the native merchant (son of soil).
Consequent upon the finding of insecurity with the regulation, MIMA sternly asked every entrepreneur and merchant group not to register under the regulation.
It can be noted here that the AMC Licensing Regulation could not be enforced due to stiff oppositions from various organizations including Young Mizo Association (YMA), MZP, MSU and MIMA alleging that the Licensing Regulation does not envisage any provision for protection and safeguarding for the 'sons of the soil' .
Following this, the Aizawl Municipal Council (AMC) has accordingly made changes in the Regulation and now the Board meeting has decided to put the AMC Licensing Regulations, 2012, into effect after necessary changes incorporated in the regulations.
The resolution of the AMC Board of Councillors meeting under the leadership of AMC Chairman, CT Zakhuma reads, "The AMC notification which notifies for holding of license by the shops and other business establishments within Aizawl city, as per Licensing Regulations, 2012 and AMC Licensing (First Amendment) Regulations, 2013, may be followed as such" .
The Licensing Regulations is not a trade license, but is a restriction to business houses for the safety of the people and for their health in the wake of fast development of Aizawl city and the resultant traffic congestion or overcrowding thereof, BoC meeting explained.
AMC CEO, M Zohmingthangi has, as per AMC Licensing Regulations, 2012, notified that business hubs and shops within Aizawl city must own license from AMC, mentioning the same would come into effect from January 5, 2014.As per the AMC Licensing Regulations, anyone intending to open shops or other business enterprises within the area of AMC, will now have to first obtain license from AMC, and will also need to pay licence fee annually.
Existing shops and business houses are also to obtain license from AMC within 6 months from January 6, 2014.The improvements made in the AMC Regulation includes: 1.The explanation of the term 'license' given in the Regulation 2(m)-which says - 'Licence means licence issued by the Aizawl Municipal Council for the purpose of trade' has been changed to 'Licence means licence to use a particular place or location for the purpose of doing business within AMC area' .
.2A clause which reads 'Trade licence granted by the earstwhile Mizo District Council for non-indigenous persons' has been added to Regulation 4(f)- which specify the documents to be attached by applicant.
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