New Delhi, Feb 11 (KNN) As per Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) orders, the Hotel Food Business Operators (FBOs) are required to upload a declaration stating whether they are star or non-star hotel on online Food Licensing and Registration System (FLRS).

In a notification, FSSAI said “Hotel FBOs shall upload online FLRS, a declaration stating whether they are a star or a non-star hotel.”

In case of star hotel, they will be required to submit star certificate issued by Ministry of Tourism. In case of non-star hotels the declaration to this effect will be accepted and licensing authority will not insist for certificate of star ratings from Ministry of Tourism (HRACC), said FSSAI.

“All licensing authorities are directed to process applications of fresh/renewal of license of hotels accordingly”, it added.

It has been brought to the notice of FSSAI that the scheme of certificate of star ratings to the hotels by Ministry of Tourism (HRACC) is voluntary and many hotels particularly small hotels do not go for star certification under the scheme.

However, licensing authorities insist to produce certificate of ratings even from small/tiny hotels at the time of applying for fresh /renewal of license. As a result, Hotel Industry is facing difficulty in getting license for hotels.

After examining the matter, FSSAI said “As per the licensing criteria hotels with rating five star and above require central licenses and hotels with rating four star and below with turnover above Rs 12 lakh require State license.”

It is clarified that the criteria for hotels for State license includes both Star category hotels (One Star to four star) as well as non-star category hotels including all those hotels that have not opted for star rating, it added.