GCC to tighten checks on the unauthorised beauty parlours, massage parlours, spas etc
Posted on: 11/Feb/2021 9:26:25 AM
There are now 600 massage parlours, beauty parlours and spas in and around Chennai.
Two years back, GCC grabbed many eyeballs when it mandated trade licenses for the beauty parlours, saps, massage parlours etc in Chennai. It is now found out that just 34 such establishments have been operating with requisite permits.
The data from the GCC has revealed that 25 spas, 8 beauty parlours and 1 massage parlour had got trade licence to operate. It was later mentioned by an official that the issuance of trade licences to such establishments was affected because of Covid-19 pandemic. Now, the process of issuance of trade licences has started.
In the last 2 years as many as 188 applications have been received by the Chennai Corporation from spas, massage parlours and beauty parlours. Point is that GCC has been taking steps to prevent misconduct in the name of massage centres and spas. The civic body has issued an order making the trade licences compulsory for these establishments from 1st of April. The rules also included police verification and a no objection certificate. It is worthy to mention that out of 188 applications received 115 were from spas and 58 from beauty parlours.
As per the official, the police department and health department could take actions against any misconduct at the establishments. He added that the GCC could take action if these establishments operated without permits. According to a rough estimate, Chennai has got 600 such establishments.
Soon, GCC would be conducting meetings with the owners of these establishments regarding the importance of trade licences. Point is that even some of the reputed brands haven�t applied for the trade licences yet. There are various conditions like installation of CCTV cameras, stipulated time of functioning etc. The employees working in these establishments must have minimum qualification etc. It is now brought out that as per the new norms massage services must not be provided behind closed doors and external doors should be kept open during the working hours.
It must be recalled that in 2014 the High Court asked the government to bring massage centres and beauty parlours under the ambit of law. Trade licences for the beauty parlours have been made compulsory after this. To keep track of the homeless persons in Chennai and to manage the night shelters, GCC would have an exclusive mobile phone application also.
It was pointed out by an official belonging to GCC that the smart phone application would have details of all the night shelters in Chennai plus details of the residents. Information collected is that daily reports of the night shelters (number of residents, new residents and amount spent for operating night shelters) would be uploaded to help the higher officials.
