Licensing is supposed to be a dreaded word because of the complex procedures involved in applying for such a license and getting the same. One can understand these problems in a country like India where procedural delays are normal and patience of the people seems to be unlimited. But entrepreneurs in the US complaining about licensing problems is some what odd considering the modern administrative infrastructure this country has established and the relentless efforts to reduce paper "load" on citizens dealing with the government. The Food Truck phenomenon which is becoming wide spread is liked by American consumers and there are hundreds of such trucks operating in the metropolitan areas of the country. Probably one has to understand the dilemma of the safety agencies in granting licenses indiscriminately because these street food vendors can cause harm to consumers if adequate minimum facilities are not built into the vending
"Food trucks are a natural part of the innovative culinary process and they make particular sense for Boston. Boston is a walking city — built on a human scale — and it fits perfectly with eateries that sell on a street corner. Boston is a magnet for immigrants, who often have the skill to create a great meal but not the capital to set up a full restaurant. Boston has a dearth of affordable real estate, and food trucks are a small-saving way of delivering new food options. So what's stopping food trucks from proliferating in Boston? The most common complaints are "complex licensing and zoning regulations'' — would-be vendors say licensing can take many months. Food trucks do need to be licensed, at least to ensure safe food. Moreover, trucks should be charged by the government when they occupy public space. (Private landlords can presumably make their own arrangements.) Controlling public space and protecting public health are legitimate reasons for regulation, but the loudest voices against food trucks often come from restaurateurs complaining about competition. Preserving the monopoly power of local eateries is a terrible reason to restrict food trucks. As in many other areas, a one-stop permitting process that aims at providing speedy approval seems like a step forward. While I admire the Food Truck Challenge in City Hall Plaza to bring food trucks to scale, we should give up on micro-managing the location of every food truck. Instead, public spaces should be rented to food trucks, so the space will go to the truck that values it most. Food trucks can improve Boston's streets and Boston's palates — they just need to be free to do so.Food trucks are a natural part of the innovative culinary process and they make particular sense for Boston. Boston is a walking city — built on a human scale — and it fits perfectly with eateries that sell on a street corner. Boston is a magnet for immigrants, who often have the skill to create a great meal but not the capital to set up a full restaurant. Boston has a dearth of affordable real estate, and food trucks are a small-saving way of delivering new food options. So what's stopping food trucks from proliferating in Boston? The most common complaints are "complex licensing and zoning regulations'' — would-be vendors say licensing can take many months. Food trucks do need to be licensed, at least to ensure safe food. Moreover, trucks should be charged by the government when they occupy public space. (Private landlords can presumably make their own arrangements.) Controlling public space and protecting public health are legitimate reasons for regulation, but the loudest voices against food trucks often come from restaurateurs complaining about competition. Preserving the monopoly power of local eateries is a terrible reason to restrict food trucks. As in many other areas, a one-stop permitting process that aims at providing speedy approval seems like a step forward. While I admire the Food Truck Challenge in City Hall Plaza to bring food trucks to scale, we should give up on micro-managing the location of every food truck. Instead, public spaces should be rented to food trucks, so the space will go to the truck that values it most. Food trucks can improve Boston's streets and Boston's palates — they just need to be free to do so".
Does it give some solace to Indian entrepreneurs who are driven from pillar to post with wads of notes to grease the palms of the babus who man the post dispensing licenses? Of course no corruption or bribing may be involved in the US system but there is an element of thoroughness in vetting the applications which could cause delays. Besides the Food Truck system of food vending is relatively a new concept and it is going to take time to evolve an efficient fool proof safety protocols for these vending contraptions. Also to be kept in mind is the repercussions of indiscriminate licensing on established eateries and the possibility of traffic obstructions caused by the parking of the trucks in some roads that may affect the civic standards adversely.
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