Now, NOCs to be issued for homestays at local police stations

Homestays in Kodagu district can henceforth get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the local police stations.

Karumbaiah, former president of the Coorg Homestay Association, told reporters in town on Wednesday that, following talks, Superintendent of Police P Rajendra Prasad has directed homestay owners to avail of NOCs from jurisdictional stations. Earlier, the owners had to get applications from the SP’s office obtain an NOC, he said.

Member B G Ananthashayana said, “The issue related to unwanted documents sought by the police was also discussed with the SP.”

Karumbaiah said that the association has also succeeded in getting the deadline for registration of homestays extended by the state tourism department authorities in Bengaluru. The members can collect the information from the association, he added.

Uniform regulations

Kodagu Tourism Association general secretary Thimmaiah said on Tuesday that the government has changed its order on homestays twice between 2007 and 2016.

The altered moves of the government have confused the homestay owners. There should be a uniform regulation for the registration of homestays, he said. He said most of the homestay owners have already availed of no objection certificates from the respective gram panchayats and police stations and they should be allowed to register.

“The new regulations by the government have been burdening the not-so privileged owners. Many thought that the registration of homestays is to be undertaken by paying Rs 17,500. But, as the government has issued guidelines towards registering again, the owners have been distressed,” he said.

He said once the no objection certificates have been obtained by the homestay owners, they are permanent as per law. But as per the order issued by the government for 2016 to 2020, the validity of the certificate is said to be for only six months. This is the cause for confusion, he explained.

Lawyer Krishamurthy said the government has been treating the homestays in the district with a stepmotherly attitude. There is no clarity while implementing the new regulations. The government has been misleading the people, he said.

Leader Ibrahim said that the certificates should be provided to those who have registered for new homestays within 20 days. The homestay owners must be consulted before framing the laws, he said. Also, a tourism officer should be appointed for the district, the leader urged.