CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has directed the state government to file a report detailing the number of illegally operating private homestay accommodations that have been sealed in the Nilgiris district.
The direction was issued by a special Division Bench comprising Justices N Sathish Kumar and D Bharatha Chakravarthy, which hears matters relating to forests and the environment. The Bench was hearing a complaint alleging that several lodging facilities in Ooty were functioning illegally.
Questioning the failure of authorities to act against such establishments, the judges had earlier ordered the constitution of a committee comprising the District Revenue Officer, the Municipal Commissioner and the District Tourism Officer to inspect all homestay accommodations in Ooty and Kodaikanal. The committee was directed to verify whether the establishments had obtained proper building approvals and valid licences from the Tourism Department, and to close immediately those operating without requisite permissions.
When the matter was taken up for further hearing, Additional Advocate General J Ravindran, appearing for the Forest Department, informed the court that notices had been issued to around 920 homestay accommodations in the Nilgiris district for violations of norms. Of these, 521 establishments are owned by locals, while 399 are owned by outsiders. He further submitted that 76 such establishments had been sealed so far.
Stating that swift action was being taken, the authorities placed a status report before the court. However, the judges questioned why the action was not being taken more expeditiously.
The court then adjourned the matter for four weeks and directed the authorities to file details of the homestay accommodations against which action had been taken as of that date.