Following the order issued by District Magistrate Jammu, Dr. Rakesh Minhas to regulate the functioning of spa and massage centres in the district, the District Administration conducted a comprehensive inspection drive, during which the establishments found in serious violation of the prescribed directions and were closed forthwith with notices issued to them.
In furtherance of the order, the District Magistrate constituted dedicated inspection teams under the supervision of Additional Deputy Commissioners Ansuya Jamwal and Vidhu Shekhar.
During the drive, the teams, including one led by ADC Vidhu Shekhar inspected a number of spa and massage centres across the district, some of which were found to be in violation of the directions stipulated under the order.
The establishments closed and served notices include K Crystal Spa, Evergreen Thai Therapy Centre, Touch of Magic, The Bubble Spa; The Golden Thai Unisex Spa and Health Ayurveda Spa and Salon.
The violations observed across the inspected establishments included, among others: lack of mandatory undertaking, absence of display board and site plan; provision of cross-gender services; presence of door locks inside private cabins; non-production of identity cards by staff; unaccounted payment of employee salaries; non-maintenance of client registers and malfunctioning CCTV cameras.
Notices have been issued to the defaulting establishments and further police and legal action shall be taken against the owners, managers and employees under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) as applicable.
The District Magistrate reiterated that the administration maintains zero tolerance towards the misuse of commercial establishments for unlawful and immoral purposes. Inspection drives will continue on a periodic and surprise basis throughout the operative period of the order. All spa and massage centres operating within District Jammu are directed to ensure strict compliance with the regulatory framework in letter and spirit, failing which they shall face immediate closure and prosecution under the relevant provisions of law.
The inspection teams comprised Tehsildars Raju Sambyal, Mona Chalotra and Sunaina Bharti, Assistant Labour Commissioner Rupali Jasrotia, District Statistics and Evaluation Officer Neeraj Sharma and Naib Tehsildar Bitti, besides officials of the Labour and Legal Metrology Departments.