Doon DM cancels 7 more homestay registrations before transfer

Dehradun: The district administration has cancelled the registration of seven more homestays in Dehradun as part of its ongoing crackdown against establishments found violating norms. The latest action was among the last orders issued by district magistrate (DM) Savin Bansal before his transfer and the appointment of Ashish Chauhan as the new DM.

Under the administration’s ongoing Operation Clean-Up, launched in April, 103 homestays have lost their registrations for failing to comply with provisions of the Uttarakhand Home Stay (Homestay) Rules. The process of delisting them from the tourism department is underway.

The administration deployed five magisterial teams across Dehradun following an uptick in law-and-order incidents. Registrations of 17 homestays were cancelled in the first phase of the drive, 79 in the second phase and seven more in the latest action.

“Over the past several months, the city has witnessed a surge in criminal incidents, including drug-related offences and reckless driving. A major contributing factor behind this trend is the unauthorised late-night operation of bars within homestays. The have effectively become hubs for illegal activities involving loud music (DJs) and narcotics, and are frequently accommodating individuals with unruly tendencies, thereby posing a direct threat to the safety and lives of the general public,” Bansal said.

Officials said some homestays and hotels were accommodating tourists, as well as individuals with unruly backgrounds, without adhering to prescribed procedures. Several homestays were also being operated under lease agreements, a practice authorities said was emerging as a significant challenge for maintaining law and order. Incidents involving reckless driving under the influence of intoxicants and celebratory firing have also been reported.

“The fundamental objective of the homestay scheme is to promote local culture and traditional cuisine, as well as to enhance the income of local residents. However, during the inspections, it was discovered that numerous homestays were being utilised as if they were conventional hotels or commercial establishments. This deviation from their intended purpose was having an adverse impact on public order and the overall law-and-order situation,” Bansal said.

During inspections, several homestays were found to lack kitchen facilities. Fire-safety equipment was either unavailable or had exceeded its validity period. Some establishments were being used as wedding venues and for other commercial activities. Authorities also found rooms being operated beyond the prescribed capacity. Previous inspections had revealed failures to submit C-forms relating to foreign guests, while some registered homestays were found to be non-operational.

Bansal’s eventful tenure as Doon DM

Bansal’s nearly one-and-a-half-year tenure in Dehradun became known for frequent public hearings, tough decisions and direct interaction with residents. Within months of taking charge, he initiated work to improve facilities at Coronation District Hospital, including a neonatal care unit, blood bank and rehabilitation centre for the physically challenged. His administration also started work on developing EV charging stations in the city.

Bansal frequently found himself at loggerheads with the district excise department over liquor regulation. He cracked down on pubs for violation of liquor norms, ordered the closure of a liquor shop on Rajpur Road, relocated several liquor vends and took action against overpricing of liquor in the capital. The Rajpur Road closure later led to litigation in the high court.

He also cancelled contracts of two firms responsible for waste management after inspections revealed poor performance on the ground. Officials were suspended for dereliction of duty, while contractors faced action for leaving roads dug up and public works incomplete.

Among his social initiatives was the Nanda-Sunanda project, aimed at supporting girls from economically weaker and disadvantaged backgrounds in pursuing education. His administration also launched the state’s first intensive care centre for the rehabilitation of children rescued from begging and child labour.

His tenure was not without controversy. The protocol department sought an explanation from him over an alleged protocol lapse during the June 12 visit of the Lok Sabha speaker last year after the speaker’s office reportedly did not receive an appropriate response from the district administration before the visit.

Another controversy erupted after a video from the Sept rain deluge in Dehradun circulated on social media. The footage showed cabinet minister Ganesh Joshi rebuking Bansal during an inspection for not responding to phone calls. Bansal responded with folded hands in a dignified manner before quietly walking away.