The licensing department has prohibited the India Trade Promotion Organisation from holding functions at the Pragati Maidan for lack of fire security. But notwithstanding the order functions are being held without obtaining an NOC from the fire department.

Turning a blind eye to the violation, the New Delhi district police have refused to comment on the issue.

In a letter dated June 19 (of which Newsline has a copy) the Additional Commissioner of Police, Licensing, Anita Roy, has written about the violation to the Chief Fire Officer, Delhi. The letter was also forwarded to the DCP New Delhi.

“It has come to notice that the performances or functions at various halls of ITPO at Pragati Maidan continue to be held despite not obtaining performance license from the Licensing Branch, which is required. Hence, we are not able to issue the NOC for holding functions without the fire NOC,” Roy wrote.

The letter further directs the New Delhi DCP to initiate legal action if a function at ITPO is held without prior permission from the licensing office.

Inside the ITPO, preparations are on for a book fair scheduled to begin from August 29. One of its halls recently hosted the annual event of the Income Tax Department that facilitates filing of income tax returns.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Shankar Dass, first denied he had received any letter directing him to take action against the ITPO if they held functions. Later, on learning that Newsline had a copy of the letter, he refused to comment on the issue.

... contd.