PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Several homestays and Bed and Breakfast establishments are allegedly operating in the city without registration, raising concerns over the absence of proper records of tourists staying at these properties. The district tourism development officer (DTDO) Jaspal Chauhan said that lack of tourist details and verification could create law-and-order concerns, as authorities may not have information about who is staying at such establishments. Chauhan said that such illegally operating homestays and B&B establishments are violating the Uttarakhand tourism department’s 2026 rules. He said that operators are also not maintaining proper records of tourists staying at their properties, making it difficult to verify visitors.
Chauhan said that maintaining records and completing the required formalities is particularly important in the case of foreign tourists, for whom submission of a Form-C is mandatory. However, operating establishments often fail to submit the required Form-C, which amounts to a violation of the law.
He said that the tourism department has identified around 50 unregistered homestays and B&B establishments in the city. Notices are being sent to owners. A notice has also been sent to the Police Headquarters on Saturday, listing the establishments found operating without registration. The police will verify the addresses and visit the premises of the operators against whom notices have been issued.
The department has requested the police to conduct an investigation and take action as per law, including issuing challans wherever violations are found, he added. Under Chapter VI of the Uttarakhand tourism rules, operating an unregistered tourism establishment can attract a penalty of Rs 10,000. An additional penalty of Rs 1,000 per day can also be imposed for every day the violation continues.
The notices direct the operators to submit a written explanation along with supporting documents within seven working days and appear before the DTDO office. Chauhan said that failure to respond within the stipulated period could lead to further action under the rules, including recovery of the applicable penalty and daily fine for the period of unauthorised operation.
