GUWAHATI: With Diwali knocking on the door, people are getting ready for the festival, and many shopkeepers and store managers in Guwahati are awaiting their permits for selling crackers outside the offices of their respective areas’ DCP offices.
Speaking to Jignesh Khater, a resident of Geetanagar said, "I have been waiting outside the DCP (Central) office for my license since last night and I haven't got any. I have provided all the necessary documents but I wonder why is it taking so long."
Apparently, Traders waiting for licenses applied online through the SewaSetu Assam portal and paid a fee of ₹500. The list of applicants was then sent to their local police stations, where officials compiled the names before forwarding them to the respective DCP offices.
In addition to that, the traders also need to carry a list of other documents such as a trade license, property tax receipt, and payment receipts along with the identity documents.
However, according to the traders, the process is taking too long, leaving them frustrated.
Mintu Deka, a shop owner from Chandmari has been waiting outside the DCP (Central)'s office for two hours and claims that despite carrying the proper documents, the officials are taking too long.
Speaking to a police official from the DCP (Central) about the process, she said, "The process is taking so long because we are receiving the names one by one and not in a proper list. Apart from that, many traders have also complained that while applying for the license, the website is crashing at times.”