Section 9. Registration

(1) Every person intending to operate a hotel in a tourist area shall before operating it apply for registration to the prescribed authority in the prescribed manner. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) any person already operating a hotel in a tourist area on the date the notification under 1[clause (n)] of section 2 is issued, shall apply for registration within three months from the aforesaid date : 2[Provided that where, before the commencement of the Jammu and Kashmir Registration of Tourist Trade (Amendment) Act, 1982, any person as aforesaid could not apply for registration within the time specified above, he shall so apply for registration within six months after such commencement.] (3) Every application made under sub-section (1) shall be disposed of within a period of three months from the date of receipt of the application failing which the application shall be deemed to have been accepted for registration.