MC revises norms for grant of permission for events

Charanjit Singh Teja
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, November 18

Around a month after the train tragedy at Joda Phatak, the Municipal Corporation has revised the norms to grant permission for any social, religious and political gathering to avert any such incident. The applicants have to submit the plan of their programmes, which includes photographs of the location, planning for the tent and other arrangements.

Earlier, the MC had around 17 conditions to give approval to organisers. Most of them were related to sanitation. The conditions include no damage to public property and no objection against event by anyone. The provisional nod is given on condition that approval is also taken from the district administration and the police.

In case of negligence, the MC can act under Punjab Municipal Corporation Act. In case of a complaint, the MC can get filed FIRs.

Now, the civic body also demands identity proof and self declaration about the law and order situation.

The organisers have to get separate permission from fire and health officials of the MC along with the estate wing. The file for the permission would be submitted at the commissioner’s office for approval of separate departments of the MC.

Estate Officer Sushant Bhatia said, “Organisers have to submit self declaration about their responsibility in a case of law and order issue. The whole plan for the event will need permission. If the organiser doesn’t get approval from the police, the permission of the MC would not be valid.”