New Delhi: Two months after a devastating fire at a bed and breakfast in south Delhi claimed 23 lives, tourism minister Kapil Mishra Friday introduced a Bill in assembly to withdraw a nearly two-decade-old law governing such set-ups in the city as Delhi govt seeks to bring in a more “flexible and facilitative policy”.Delhi Bed and Breakfast Establishments (Repeal) Bill, 2026 seeks to repeal National Capital Territory of Delhi (Incredible India) Bed and Breakfast Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2007, along with its subsequent amendments of 2009 and 2021.The Bill, which speaker Vijender Gupta said is likely to be taken up for consideration and passing on Aug 10, also contains a clause to ensure that any registration, certificate, approval, order or proceeding initiated under the repealed law will continue to remain valid if not inconsistent with the policy.“Over a period of time, the tourism and hospitality sector has undergone significant transformation, including the emergence of new forms of accommodation and evolving policy approaches. In this context, it has been considered necessary to discontinue the existing framework governing B&B establishments and replace it with a more flexible and facilitative policy regime. A new comprehensive policy in this regard is under formulation and will be placed before the cabinet for approval,” according to the statement of objects and reasons of the Bill.The Bill states that the “repeal shall not affect the previous operation of the repealed Acts or anything duly done or suffered thereunder.”The Act was enacted in 2007 to regulate and promote B&Bs operating from residential premises, particularly to cater to tourists visiting the capital. It laid down provisions for registration of such establishments and prescribed standards and conditions for their operation.The Bill to repeal it comes amid Delhi govt’s broader exercise of reviewing and simplifying regulatory laws and procedures.“During the transition period, fresh registrations and processing of pending applications under the existing Act shall remain in abeyance. At the same time, matters relating to existing registrations, certificates issued, directories, records maintained by operators, grievance redressal, pending appeals and classification standards shall be suitably addressed under the proposed policy framework. Any penalties, liabilities, non-compliances or legal proceedings arising under the existing Act shall continue to be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the said Act,” the Bill states.
