Chandigarh (Media Bureau) The Administrator today finalized a revised policy for PGs keeping in view the need for accommodation of students in private houses and the need for their safety and security. In addition to the previous stipulations, certain new provisions have been added; such as mandatory Fire Clearance, Annual Renewal of License, Indemnity Certificate from PG owners etc. It has been decided not to exempt the requirement of house owners staying in the PG accommodation. However, shortly a new category of hostels will be introduced, where house owners can rent out buildings for hostels after meeting the statutory stipulations.
Adviser Shri Manoj Parida, IAS has stated that the intention is not to close down the PGs, but to get them regularized through proper registration. Registration counters have been opened by the Deputy Commissioner, which will remain open even on Saturday and Sunday this week. Online applications will also be introduced shortly. Those premises which do not have occupation certificate will be allowed provisional registration subject to the condition that they will obtain occupation certificate within a period of three months. The U.T. Administration has also allowed the PGs to operate on the undertaking that necessary fire clearance will be obtained within one month.
In a bid to reduce the woes of the students, the U.T., Administration has allowed various bhawans located in the city to accommodate students on payment basis, if they so desire. Similarly, the colleges have been told to accommodate students evicted from illegal PGs temporarily in spaces or dormitories available. The U.T. Engineering Department has already started construction of hostels for 6,000 students in colleges located in sectors 42, 46, 50(Commercial College) and PEC. The Deputy Commissioner has been directed to ensure that all applications for the registration are cleared within two days, so that the house owners do not have to run around various offices. The Administration, however, clarified that those PGs, which are housed in less than 7.5 marlas will continue to be sealed.
