Cyber crime: DM's nod key to issue trade licence

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 4: The English Bazaar Municipality has decided not to issue or renew trade licence for cyber cafés until they get a ‘green signal’ from the district magistrate.The EBM is preparing a list of cyber cafés in English Bazaar town based on the records of trade licence issued by the civic body as per the instructions of the district magistrate. The district magistrate has sought the list of cyber cafés from the civic bodies for implementing guidelines as a step to comat the rising cyber crime. It was also decided that the district magistrate and superintendent of police would hold a meeting with the café owners shortly to brief them about the guidelines of the government to monitor known and unknown Internet users in the café. No one will be allowed to use Internet services without a valid identity card. This system has been implemented in cafés across Kolkata following the guidelines framed by the Kolkata police. According to the EBM records, there are only 14-cyber cafés in English Bazaar town. Most of them did not renew their trade licence in the past one year. The vice chairman of the EBM, Mr Dulal Sarkar said, "We are preparing a fresh list after visiting some cafes. In the name of computer centres many businessmen run a cyber café here”."We will not issue new trade license or renew trade licenses to the cyber café owners at present. The district magistrate has informed us about the implementation of new guidelines. We will issue trade license to the cyber café owner who will follow the government guidelines for crime monitoring system”, he added. Today, nearly 15 cyber café owners approached the English Bazaar civic body seeking trade licence and renewal of trade licenses. The EBM authorities did not accept their proposals. It may be recalled that after going through media report on administrative decision to monitor cyber café all café owners have been united to form an association before the administrative meeting.