Dehradun: Following the Uttarakhand government’s action against the violators of the local land laws, the tourism department has given its focus on the strict implementation of the rules meant for running the homestays across the state.
Earlier, the state government started the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Uttarakhand homestays scheme in the state with an aim to stop migration from the hills, promote self-employment, and make tourists aware about the culture and society of the hill state.
Action against 228 operators of homestays in Almora and Bageshwar districts
The action taken by the tourism department against operators of homestays in Almora district brought to the light that the outsiders, who purchased land in Uttarakhand, are also getting benefits of the homestay scheme. The department has taken actions against 225 homestays in Almora district and 3 homestays in the neighbouring Bageshwar district for not following the rules. The department has cancelled the registration of all the 228 homestays.
Almora has 437 registered homestays
Reports reaching here from Almora said the district has about 437 registered homestays. These homestays are in the tourism areas like Salt, Manila, Ranikhet, Syalde, Dwarahat, Shitalakhet, Binsar, Majkhali, Lamgara, Hawalbagh, and Kaushani. The team of the tourism department, which examined the papers of most of these homestays, found violation of rules in running the homestays. Most of the owners of the homestays are outsiders.
Meanwhile, the tourism department officials of Bageshwar district have sent notices to 10 operators of homestays for not meeting the required standards
Violation of rules in running the homestays
As per the rules, a family member of the operator concerned must ensure his presence at the homestay he or she owned. The officials found that the buildings are owned by someone else, while someone else is living in it. Some homestays lacked registration certificates. Some homestays were built violating the required size.
The benefits under the homestay scheme
The state government gives benefits of the homestay scheme to only a permanent resident of the state. The government provides a loan of maximum rupees 30 lakhs. There is also a provision for giving financial subsidies.
