PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Uttarkashi
While issuing instructions to ensure strict adherence to standards in the implementation of tourism-based self-employment schemes in the district, the district magistrate Prashant Arya said that tourist convenience and safety should be the top priority in hotel and homestay projects. “No application will be processed without parking arrangements, building standards and a map approved by the authority,” he added.
He said this while chairing a meeting of the Tourism department’s district-level selection committee held at the Collectorate here. The meeting reviewed applications received for the financial year 2026-27 under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grah Aawas Vikas Yojana, Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali Paryatan Swarojgar Yojana and the Trekking- Traction Centre Home Stay Grant Scheme.
The DM directed the officials to evaluate all applications received under the hotel and homestay categories in accordance with the prescribed standards. “Adequate parking should be ensured according to the number of rooms, and that the provisions of the Property Rules and the National Building Code should be followed as needed,” he said while placing special emphasis on obtaining building plans approved by the district administration as per the regulations.
Further, the DM directed strict adherence to construction regulations within 100 meters of major rivers. He stated that in such cases, further proceedings should be initiated only after obtaining the necessary no objection certificate (NOC) from the Irrigation department.
During the meeting, the district tourism development officer Khushal Negi informed that 28 applications have been received against the target of 28 under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grah Aawas Vikas Yojana while 17 applications have been received against the target of 20 under the Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali Paryatan Swarojgar Yojana, which includes five applications for vehicles and 12 for non-vehicles and 31 applications have been received against the target of 30 under the Tracking-Traction Centre Home Stay Grant Scheme.
The DM and chief development officer Jai Bharat Singh interviewed the applicants during the meeting and obtained necessary information regarding their proposals.
The DM stated that the objective of tourism and self-employment schemes is to empower youth and create local employment opportunities. “Therefore, eligible beneficiaries should be provided with the benefits of the schemes through a transparent, fair and timely process,” he stressed.
