The central government is also emphasizing on promoting tourism activities in rural areas. In this sequence, providing accommodation and food facilities to tourists is the most important link and home stay is a better option for this. In view of this, the central government is preparing to make a home stay policy at the national level. The team of NITI Aayog had studied the home stay policy of four states including Uttarakhand some time ago. Now the commission is going to send its recommendations to the Center, in which the provisions of Uttarakhand’s home stay policy are also being included. These include provisions like subsidy for local residents, domestic rates of water and electricity.
Tourism and pilgrimage in Uttarakhand is an important aspect related to the economy
Tourism and pilgrimage is an important aspect related to the economy in Uttarakhand, which is full of natural beauty. In view of the increasing number of tourists and pilgrims year after year, the government is also developing facilities accordingly. Apart from the already established tourist places, tourism has also been focused on in rural areas. In view of providing residential facilities to tourists at the rural level, the initiative of homestay has been taken. So far, more than five thousand homestays have been established. Along with giving grant money for homestays, the government also helps in their promotion by registering on the website of Tourism Development Council. Also, there are provisions for many types of discounts in the scheme. The condition for the beneficiary of the scheme is that the operator of the homestay will reside in it and will also introduce the people staying there to the cultural heritage of the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also praised the state’s homestay initiative on many occasions. After this, the government has also given some more concessions in the scheme. Not only in Uttarakhand, but also in Kerala, Goa and Uttar Pradesh, the homestay scheme has brought meaningful results. The central government has also liked this initiative. In this sequence, on the instructions of the central government, the team of Niti Aayog studied the policy of these four states including Uttarakhand in the last December-January and also took stock of the ground situation. The team that came to Uttarakhand had visited Dehradun, Tehri and Nainital districts. Also, I had a discussion with the officials of Tourism Development Council, District Administration and other officials.
Incentives for homestay in the policy
Dr. Imran Amin, leader of the Niti Aayog team that visited Uttarakhand, said that the team has completed the study. Now the commission will send recommendations to the central government. He said that there is a provision of incentives for homestay in the policy of Uttarakhand. Under this, subsidy and grants are being given.
The rates of electricity and water for the beneficiaries have been kept domestic instead of commercial. The scheme is being taken forward at the cluster level and the focus has also been on the skill development of the beneficiaries. He said that all these points are being included in the recommendations to be sent to the Center. Based on the recommendation of the commission, a program can be announced at the national level for homestay.
