Self-certification system for hotels planned

Amendments being made to existing Act; proposal awaits Cabinet nod

State Labour Commissioner D S Vishwanath, on Tuesday, said, “a self-certification system is being implemented for the benefit of hoteliers to renew their licence.”

Participating in an interaction, organised by Hotel Owners Association and Hotel Maikara Dharma Datthi, here, the official said, the first-of-its-kind system would be implemented soon, after the proposal is approved by the State Cabinet.

To facilitate the new system, amendments are being made to the Commercial Establishments Licence Act, 1961. Once the modified system is implemented, there will be no room for physical inspection by inspectors and also delay in renewal of licences.

The hoteliers should deposit the fee, based on the number of employees, and renewal fee, to fulfil the procedure of self-certification. As a follow up, the officials will inspect the hotels to check if the system is in place in compliance with self-certification, within one year. If found satisfactory, the deposit amount will be refunded. The services related to registration and renewal are available both online and offline.

The officer promised to redress 64 grievances to enable smooth functioning of business for various establishments, registered under the Labour department. As many as 79 hurdles had been identified in this regard. The solutions are expected in three to four months. That apart, it has been proposed to introduce a joint inspection system by various department officials related to the hotel industry.

Measures have been initiated to check harassment at the hands of labour inspectors, who have been visiting the same establishments in the name of inspection. It is only in the case of serious lapses, the inspectors should reinspect the facility.

Claiming that enormous changes have been brought in the department in the last two years, the official said, as many as 10 laws were applicable to the hotel industry. To make it easier for hoteliers, online system has been launched, where the queries are expected to be addressed within 15 days. If not, the complaints can be lodged with the higher ups.

The online self-licence system has been already introduced, where the beneficiaries should upload the scanned image of Chalan on the official website of the department.