<p>Chikkamagaluru: Homestays and resorts across Chikkamagaluru district are gearing up for New Year celebrations. However, safety concerns remain unaddressed in unauthorised homestays.</p><p>Usually, a large number of people visit Chikkamagaluru during New Year. Even this year, tourist footfall is expected to be high during the New Year as many people have already booked resorts and homestays a month in advance including unauthorised ones.</p><p>But due to online bookings, people lack information on whether those homestays were authorised or not.</p><p>As per norms, homestays should not have more than five rooms and accommodation should not be provided for more than 20 people, including children. Outsiders should not operate homestays and illegal activities should not be permitted. Environmental and water resources should not be harmed.</p><p>However, many unauthorised homestays were not following these norms.</p><p><strong>Alcohol parties</strong></p><p>In addition, homestays are not permitted to organise parties by serving alcohol. Guests can consume alcohol in their rooms but not in common areas. However, for special occasions, permission can be obtained through the Excise Department with a CL-5 license. Hence, the Excise Department invited applications for the same.</p><p>Until now, the Excise Department has received only around eight applications seeking special licenses. On the other hand, license holders oppose granting such special permissions and raise questions on whether these rules are being followed in homestays, particularly unauthorised ones.</p><p>According to the district administration, there are over 900 homestays with 170 operating illegally.</p><p>“The Tourism Department has served notices but the number of unauthorised homestays is reportedly higher. Except for action taken against a few homestays in the Mullayanagiri area, others continue to operate freely,” say local people.</p><p>“Unauthorised homestays bear no responsibility. They do not care about guest safety and security. If issues arise in such homestays, it will tarnish the reputation of all homestays. Therefore, the police and tourism departments should take action,” say licensed homestay owners. </p><p>According to Homestay Owners Association president N R Tejaswi, most homestays are booked but for the weekend and not for December 31 as it falls on a Tuesday.</p><p><strong>Liquor sales</strong></p><p>Meanwhile, illegal liquor sales are expected to surge during New Year celebrations.</p><p>The network for selling tax-free liquor from Goa is expanding. Military liquor is also available in bottles with agents in the City acquiring it from ex-servicemen at lower prices and selling it at a premium rate.</p><p>“Homestays do not sell liquor. Guests bring their own and consume it in their rooms. We do not know what kind of liquor they get,” a homestay owner stated.</p>
<p>Chikkamagaluru: Homestays and resorts across Chikkamagaluru district are gearing up for New Year celebrations. However, safety concerns remain unaddressed in unauthorised homestays.</p><p>Usually, a large number of people visit Chikkamagaluru during New Year. Even this year, tourist footfall is expected to be high during the New Year as many people have already booked resorts and homestays a month in advance including unauthorised ones.</p><p>But due to online bookings, people lack information on whether those homestays were authorised or not.</p><p>As per norms, homestays should not have more than five rooms and accommodation should not be provided for more than 20 people, including children. Outsiders should not operate homestays and illegal activities should not be permitted. Environmental and water resources should not be harmed.</p><p>However, many unauthorised homestays were not following these norms.</p><p><strong>Alcohol parties</strong></p><p>In addition, homestays are not permitted to organise parties by serving alcohol. Guests can consume alcohol in their rooms but not in common areas. However, for special occasions, permission can be obtained through the Excise Department with a CL-5 license. Hence, the Excise Department invited applications for the same.</p><p>Until now, the Excise Department has received only around eight applications seeking special licenses. On the other hand, license holders oppose granting such special permissions and raise questions on whether these rules are being followed in homestays, particularly unauthorised ones.</p><p>According to the district administration, there are over 900 homestays with 170 operating illegally.</p><p>“The Tourism Department has served notices but the number of unauthorised homestays is reportedly higher. Except for action taken against a few homestays in the Mullayanagiri area, others continue to operate freely,” say local people.</p><p>“Unauthorised homestays bear no responsibility. They do not care about guest safety and security. If issues arise in such homestays, it will tarnish the reputation of all homestays. Therefore, the police and tourism departments should take action,” say licensed homestay owners. </p><p>According to Homestay Owners Association president N R Tejaswi, most homestays are booked but for the weekend and not for December 31 as it falls on a Tuesday.</p><p><strong>Liquor sales</strong></p><p>Meanwhile, illegal liquor sales are expected to surge during New Year celebrations.</p><p>The network for selling tax-free liquor from Goa is expanding. Military liquor is also available in bottles with agents in the City acquiring it from ex-servicemen at lower prices and selling it at a premium rate.</p><p>“Homestays do not sell liquor. Guests bring their own and consume it in their rooms. We do not know what kind of liquor they get,” a homestay owner stated.</p>
