For, the Tourism department starting this year is introducing a non-transferable passes with the photograph of the person who is taking it. “These passes will, of course, be free. But it cannot be transferred to others. And it will also have the individual’s picture on it. In other words, one person gets only one free pass,” Tourism Secretary I M Vittalamurthy told Deccan Herald.

This, according to Mr Vittalamurthy, will put an end to misuse of free Dasara passes. Free passes are meant only for VIPs and special guests. People used to throw their weight around and manage to get a pass. “This was not only leading to utter chaos at the prestigious Dasara procession, but breaching the official protocol,” he added.
In fact, for those who were close to the ‘high and mighty’, getting hold of many Dasara free passes had been a prestige issue. There were incidents in the past when even ministers fought publicly for the sake of passes.

Home stay
To help Dasara tourists to get accommodation at an affordable rate, the department has directed the district administration to identify 100 heritage houses in Mysore city where home stay facility can be provided.

The officials will talk to the house owners and offer them to either run the home stay on their own or rent it out to others who want to do it. “If the owner agrees, it will be done. Names of these home stays will be put up on the tourism department website -- www.karnatakatourism.org”, he added.

Food court
Mr Vittalamurthy said he has directed officials in Mysore to ensure hygiene at Dasara Food Court. “There was a good response to the Food Court during last Dasara. But only thing lacking was hygiene. This time we will manage it well,” he added.

 He also directed the officials to schedule cultural events carefully so that people do not miss out an opportunity to enjoy a particular show. The cultural programmes will also be held at Srirangapatna, Nanjangud and Somanathpura, he added.