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No crackdown on hotels flouting norms

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The Times of India   17.08.2012

No crackdown on hotels flouting norms

NEW DELHI: Guesthouses and hotels flouting building and health norms continue to go unchecked, if one goes by a report released by North Delhi Municipal Corporation. In the last three years, the erstwhile MCD sent only two notices and challaned just 51 such hotels in north Delhi.

The report says that only 476 guesthouses and 33 restaurants are operating with a valid corporation licence in Sadar Paharganj area, a hub for backpackers. Similarly, in the Karol Bagh zone only one hotel, 245 guesthouses and 15 restaurants are licenced.

However, councillors trashed the report at the standing committee meeting of North corporation, saying that the figures are incorrect. Standing committee chairman and councillor from Karol Bagh, Yogender Chandolia, said in Karol Bagh alone there are more than 700 guesthouses, hotels and restaurants. "The report doesn't have correct information. This shows officials aren't doing their job".

On the mushrooming of illegal guesthouses, he said, "Since the split, the corporation has no control over these hotels, guesthouses and restaurants. However, none of the guesthouses in Karol Bagh are ever sent notices. The report is a mockery of the corporation," he said.

Officials said that they will prepare another report with complete figures so that they can crack down on all guesthouses and hotels operating illegally. While the three corporations have vowed to come down heavily on these buildings, councillors say that to boost income, trade licences should be dolled out.
Last Updated on Friday, 17 August 2012 06:59