The Belagavi city Corporation has launched a campaign to ensure the renewal of trade licenses. As part of the initiative, health department workers are conducting direct inspections of business establishments. The campaign kicked off in the Shahapur division on Wednesday (27th).
Senior Health Inspector Z.M. Mulla led the inspections, checking whether business owners possessed valid licenses. Establishments that held licenses but had not renewed them faced punitive action. A total of ₹88,460, including fines and renewal fees, was collected during the day. Applications for license renewal submitted by violators were forwarded to the municipal head office for further processing.
In a recent meeting of the Health Standing Committee on Monday (25th), concerns were raised about the sluggish pace of trade license renewal and delays in issuing new licenses. Committee Chairman Srishail Kamble criticized the health department and warned that salaries of health officials and workers could be withheld if the license fee collection targets were not achieved.
It was revealed during the meeting that although over 10,000 business licenses had been issued in the city, only 3,000 had been renewed so far. Labeling this figure as unsatisfactory, the Chairman urged immediate action. Health Officer Dr. Sanjeev Nandre subsequently initiated the campaign, emphasizing the need to improve compliance.
The Shahapur campaign is just the beginning. Health inspectors are visiting establishments citywide to check license status. Businesses without licenses are being compelled to obtain them, and those with expired licenses are facing penalties. Authorities have assured that the campaign will be conducted throughout Belagavi ahead of the upcoming legislative session.
Commercial establishments that fail to renew their licenses will face strict action. Health inspectors across all divisions have been directed to intensify inspections and enforce compliance within their jurisdictions.