The Government of Himachal Pradesh on December 20, 2023, issued the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development and Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2023 to further amend the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development and Registration Act, 2002.
The following has been amended namely: -
• Section 25 which states “Registration of tourism unit” after sub-section (1), for the first proviso, the following shall be substituted, namely: -
“Provided that the tourism units already registered and functional under any scheme of the Central or State Government shall apply for registration within a period of 30 days from the date of commencement of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development and Registration (Amendment) Act, 2023 in the manner as may be prescribed”
• Section 46 which states “Penalty for default in registration” the following has been substituted namely: -
“Any person carrying on the business of a tourism unit or travel agent or guide or adventure sport or any other business connected with tourist trade, as the case may be, without a proper registration under this Act or in contravention of any of the provisions of this Act, shall be punishable with fine of One lakh rupees, and if the breach is a continuing one with a minimum fine of rupees two hundred per day and maximum of two thousand rupees per day till the default continues”
• Section 51 which states “Obstructing lawful authorities” the following has been substituted namely: -
“If any person wilfully obstructs or offers any resistance to, or otherwise interferes with the discharge of the functions of the prescribed authority or any other officer authorized by it, exercising any power, or performing any duties conferred or imposed upon it or him by or in pursuance of this Act or the rules made thereunder, he shall be liable to punishment with a fine of Ten thousand rupees”
• Section 59 which states “Renewal of Certificate” has been substituted namely: -
“The registration certificate issued by the prescribed authority shall be valid for a period of two years from the date of issuance of registration certificate. The registration certificate shall be renewed by the prescribed Authority in such manner and on payment of such renewal fee as may be prescribed.”
It shall come into force on such date as the State Government may, by notification published in the Official Gazette, appoint.
[Bill No. 19 of 2023]
