By Admin 
There is a possibility of change in the registration process this time regarding the holy Chardham Yatra which is going to start from April 19 in Uttarakhand. In order to prevent fake registration, a proposal has come forward to impose minimum fee on registration. However, at present no fee has been implemented and it has only been sent to the state government as a proposal. Only the government will take the final decision.
A meeting of Garhwal administration, hoteliers, tour and travel operators and other stakeholders was held in Rishikesh on Monday. In the meeting, representatives of hotel association and tourism business suggested that a minimum fee should be imposed on registration, so that people cannot do fake registration. Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey also admitted that this proposal has come from the businessmen and it has been sent to the government.
Loss to businessmen due to fake registration
Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey told in a conversation with ABP that a large number of people register for the Chardham Yatra, but later do not reach the hotels or tour and travel companies. Due to this, hotel operators and tourism businessmen have to suffer huge financial losses. Based on the registration data, businessmen make advance preparations for accommodation, food, transportation and other arrangements. When the actual number remains low then their investment cost is affected.
Last year 72 lakh people had registered
Last year, more than 72 lakh devotees had registered for the Chardham Yatra, but only about 52 lakh actually reached the Yatra. This difference became a matter of concern for the administration and local businessmen. The problem of fake registration has been increasing continuously for the last four-five years.
Businessmen argue that if minimum fees are imposed on registration, people will take registration seriously and unnecessary or fake entries will be reduced. This will improve travel management and people associated with the hotel and tourism industry will not have to suffer losses.
State government will take the final decision
The Commissioner clarified that at present no fee has been implemented. This is only a proposal given by various organizations related to the yatra, now the state government will consider it and take the final decision keeping in mind the broader interests.