The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) said on Tuesday that it had shut down 14 paying guests (PG) facilities under the Bengaluru East City Corporation for not obtaining trade licences and violating norms.
The 14 PG facilities were allegedly conducting commercial or non-residential activities in residential areas without complying with conditions prescribed under the GBA Act 2024. They were sealed after a team led by Health Officer Dr Savita, along with medical officers, and health inspectors, inspected several paying guest facilities, Corporation Commissioner D S Ramesh said.
Among the sealed PG facilities, seven fell under the Mahadevapura Assembly constituency and the rest under the KR Puram Assembly constituency. Most residents were either working professionals or students.
A special trade licence drive was conducted across all 17 ward offices of the Bengaluru East City Corporation from November 10 to November 15. During this period, 466 business owners across paid Rs 25,52,800 under a single-window system and received trade licences on the same day of application, without the involvement of any middlemen, the commissioner said.
The commissioner further stated that the corporation had implemented a system enabling applicants to receive their trade licences on the same day upon submitting required documents such as the commercial shop rental agreement and electricity bills. Special camps were organised across all 17 wards and commercial zones to ensure transparent, fast, and citizen-friendly service delivery.
On August 7, 2024, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), which the GBA has replaced, issued an order stating that the trade licences would be issued only if the PG facilities followed its 10-point guidelines. These staipulated that the PG facilities should have CCTV surveillance with 90 days footage of each camera stored, first aid kits, police and BBMP helpline numbers on display, solid waste segregation for waste disposal, fire safety clearance, at least one security guard round the clock, a licence from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) if there is mass kitchen, and source of potable drinking water, among other requirements.