New Delhi, July 29 -- The licensing branch of Delhi Police has seen a sharp reduction in responsibilities following a Delhi government order removing police clearance requirements for eight trade categories. This move significantly weakens the branch, which has played a critical regulatory role since colonial times. On June 23, chief minister Rekha Gupta announced the removal of Delhi Police's authority to issue no-objection certificates (NOCs) for amusement parks, hotels, restaurants, swimming pools, discotheques, video game parlours, auditoriums, and guest houses. By July 1, these categories were removed from the Licensing Branch's website. On July 26, licensing of cinema halls and theatres was also excluded. The site now lists only arms, explosives, cinema, and press licenses. Vikram Singh, former Uttar Pradesh DGP, criticised the move. "Maybe the government should recall its orders. It's not just about power or authority; it's about gaining more channels of information and relevant and reliable information through hotels, eateries, discos, parks, and other venues frequented by anti-national elements and criminals/gangsters. If the police had some control over these places, it would be in the interest of law and order," he said. The branch's roots trace back to the 1867 Serais Act, which empowered magistrates to inspect inns. The post-Independence period saw major changes, with the Arms Act and Cinematograph Act in the 1950s and the Delhi Police Act in 1978 expanding licensing powers. A separate Licensing Department was created, overseeing entertainment and trade venues. Delhi Police data shows the branch had a 70% license rejection rate since 2019, rejecting over 36,900 of 52,000 applications.This Independence Day will be the first in 50 years where the police won't maintain a full registry of licensed trade outlets....