New Delhi: Rajasthan, which attracts lakhs of tourists each year, has made misbehaviour with them a cognizable offence to instil confidence among those who are a major source of revenue to the desert state.
The state’s Legislative Assembly has passed the Rajasthan Tourism Trade (Facilitation and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2021, in this regard.
According to Section 27-A of the Rajasthan Tourism Trade (Facilitation and Regulation) Act, 2010, misbehaving with tourists will be considered a cognizable and bailable offence. If repeated, the crime will become a non-bailable offence under sub-section 4 of Section 13.
State Tourism Minister Govind Singh Dotasra said, “Though the Act was introduced in 2010 to improve tourism and prevent misbehaviour towards tourists, it was squashed by the High Court in 2017 as the offences were unspecified. Therefore, the amendment and inclusion of a new Section 27-A were necessary.”
Rajasthan Association of Tour Operators Secretary Sanjay Kaushik said, “Strict action against anti-social elements is necessary to make tourists feel safe in cities. The problem of touts mainly exists in Jaipur and Udaipur. Touting activities disturb tourists and ruin the reputation of that city.”
“These touts, known locally as Lapkas, pretend to be local tour guides and try to extort money from tourists. They even mislead them into shopping or other activities to receive a commission,” he added.
(Avya Mathur)