The Sikkim government has banned the lease of homestay units in the state, a move that is aimed at protecting the interests of local residents. The ban comes into effect from October 1, 2023.
Under the Sikkim Registration of Homestay Establishment Rules, 2013, homestay owners are allowed to rent out their units to tourists, but they are not allowed to lease them to third parties. The new ban will make it more difficult for outsiders to acquire homestay units in Sikkim.
The government says that the ban is necessary to protect the interests of local residents, who are the main beneficiaries of the homestay industry. The government also says that the ban will help to ensure the quality of homestays in the state.
The ban has been welcomed by some homestay owners in Sikkim, who say that it will help to prevent outsiders from taking over the industry. However, other homestay owners have expressed concerns that the ban will make it difficult for them to operate their businesses.
The Sikkim government is not the only one that has put in place restrictions on land buying. Here are some other states in India with complicated land buying rules:
- Nagaland: Non-residents are prohibited from purchasing land in Nagaland under Article 371A of the Indian Constitution. Only tribal members who are permanent residents of the state are eligible to purchase land.
- Mizoram: Non-residents are prohibited from purchasing land in Mizoram under Article 371G of the Indian Constitution. Only tribal members who are permanent residents of the state are eligible to purchase land.
- Manipur: Non-residents are prohibited from purchasing land in Manipur without the prior permission of the state government. The state government can grant permission to purchase land for certain purposes, such as investment in infrastructure or industrial development.
- Assam: Non-residents are prohibited from purchasing agricultural land in Assam without the prior permission of the state government. The state government can grant permission to purchase agricultural land for certain purposes, such as investment in agricultural development or for setting up a farm stay.
- Uttarakhand: Non-residents are prohibited from purchasing agricultural land in Uttarakhand without the prior permission of the state government. The state government can grant permission to purchase agricultural land for certain purposes, such as investment in agricultural development or for setting up a farm stay.
These are just a few of the states in India with complicated land-buying rules. If you are planning to buy land in India, it is important to check the rules and regulations in the specific state where you are interested in buying land.
The ban on the lease of homestay units in Sikkim is a significant development, and it is likely to have an impact on the tourism industry in the state. It remains to be seen how the ban will be implemented and enforced, and how it will affect the local homestay owners.
The complicated land-buying rules in India are a reflection of the country's diverse cultural and linguistic landscape. These rules are designed to protect the interests of local communities and to ensure that land is used in a sustainable manner. However, these rules can also make it difficult for outsiders to invest in land in India.

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