MAPUSA
The Department of Tourism walked its talk against illegally operating hotels/guest houses and on Friday imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh each against 31 properties in North Goa for non-registration/non-renewal of the hotels under the Goa Registration of Tourist Trade Act.
The defaulters have been directed to deposit the fine amount in the government treasury within 30 days and in the event they fail to do so, the amount will be recovered as arrears of land revenue.
The hotel owners have also been warned that their business shall be liable to be closed.
“The prescribed authority shall proceed to seal the business premises and order disconnection of water and electric connection under section 22 (3) of the Goa Registration of Tourist Trade Act, 1982,” the Director of Tourism, Nikhil Desai said.
The Tourism Department has also warned that if the seal affixed by the prescribed authority is tampered or damaged then the hotel owner shall be liable to pay additional fine of Rs 10 lakh besides having to face further action under the provision of the Indian Penal Code.
Out of the 31 properties that were fined, a majority of 17 were in Calangute followed by Candolim where five hotels had to face the music. Three hotels each in Anjuna and Morjim were also fined while one each in Arpora, Dona Paula and Panaji were imposed a fine.
“Besides the hotels and guest houses the department has also started monitoring activities of online hotel aggregators who more often than not fail to follow the law. Notices are issued to all such businesses and appropriate action is taken,” said a senior official in the tourism department.
Almost two months ago, the department had issued show cause notices to 38 hotels threatening to seal their premises for failure to register their businesses with it. The department had then warned of imposition of fine which may even result in disconnection of water and electricity connection and sealing of the hotel premises.
