79 hospitality units in Kasol face Rs 1.77L fine for violations

The Tourism Department has taken action against 79 hospitality units in Kasol in Parbati Valley and imposed fines of Rs 1.77 lakh on 43 operators so far. A joint team, formed by the district administration and headed by Kullu SDM Vikas Shukla, took action against hotels, homestays, camping sites and other commercial operators which had violated various rules in Kasol last month.

About 45 units were closed on account of various flaws.

In continuation of this drive, the department had summoned the violators after issuing them notices. Kullu District Tourism Development Officer (DTDO) Sunayna Sharma said the notices were issued to the violators and they were fined as per the rules.

She said, “About 20 camping sites were found in Kasol which were operating without registration. Some units were running without proper documentation and in violation of the rules set by the Pollution Control Board. Some hotels and homestays were also found where more rooms were being used and fewer rooms were registered in papers.” Various kinds of deficiencies were also found during the investigations, she added.

The DTDO said so far 43 operators had appeared and they had been penalised. She added that the hotels, homestays and hospitality units of those who had not mended the flaws and deficiencies found during the inspection would remain closed.

The court had directed the Superintendent of Police, Kullu, as well as Zonal Director, Narcotics Control Bureau, Chandigarh, on October 25, 2017, to constitute a joint task force to raid all restaurants, hotels and eateries in and around Kasol and Malana to stop illegal activities. The court had also ordered that no establishments in Kasol should be allowed to operate except in accordance with law. After this, the administration regularly carries out drives to identify illegal commercial operations and encroachments by commercial tourism units in Kasol and adjoining areas.