Hampi homestays under scanner for flouting registration norms

Hampi (Vijayanagara): Vijayanagara district superintendent of police S. Jahnavi on Monday led an inspection drive to verify whether homestays operating in and around Hampi have complied with mandatory registration rules issued by the tourism department.The Hampi World Heritage Area Management Authority (HWHAMA) recently made it compulsory for homestays operating in Hampi, Kamalapur and other parts of the district to register with the tourism department.Following the directive, teams led by SP Jahnavi carried out inspections at homestays, lodges and guest houses in the Hampi and Kamalapur areas.Along with the SP, HWHAMA commissioner Ramesh Vatagal, tahsildar Shruti MM, joint director of tourism Tippeswamy, tourism department in-charge deputy director D Nagaraj, Hampi circle inspector of police Rajesh, PSI Subramanya and other officials visited five homestays near the Hampi gram panchayat and directed owners to obtain mandatory registration to continue operations.Officials left the premises after the owners assured them that they would complete the registration process. The owners of the five homestays were also warned not to reopen their establishments until registration was completed.According to the tourism department, Vijayanagara district currently has only one registered homestay in Hosapete, while nearly 132 homestays operating in and around Hampi are yet to complete the registration process.The latest drive comes months after authorities carried out raids on illegal resorts in Koppal and Gangavathi taluks in Feb.