Top News

After the recent building collapse incident in Delhi's Satya Niketan, the government has started strict preparations for the safety of students living in Paying Guest (PG). In Delhi, a large number of students study in PG, but at many places problems like arbitrary fare, lack of security, poor facilities and no action on complaints have been coming to the fore. In view of these problems, Delhi government is preparing to bring 'Paying Guest Accommodation Regulation and Welfare Bill'. Through the proposed law, efforts will be made to curb the arbitrariness of PG operators as well as strengthen the rights and security of the students living there.

Registration and government license of every PG will be necessary

After the implementation of the proposed new rules, it may be mandatory to register every Paying Guest (PG) operating in Delhi. PG operators will have to obtain license from the government. For this, permission to operate PG will be given only after investigation and necessary approval from the police, municipal corporation and administrative departments. According to reports, after the completion of the registration process, each PG will be given a unique registration number. With this, the identity of the PG concerned and its validity can be easily checked. Apart from this, there is also a proposal to make the information of registered PG available on the government's GovPG portal. This will make it easier for students and their parents to get information about PG and they will be able to find out whether the PG in which they are living or planning to live is registered under the rules or not.

There will be a ban on arbitrary fares

In the proposed new rules, there is also a preparation to ban charging arbitrary fare from students living in PG. For this, a fixed limit of PG rent i.e. 'Rent Band' will be set according to different areas. To collect fare more than this limit, the PG operator will have to take special permission. Apart from this, it is proposed to limit the security deposit to a maximum of three months' rent. After leaving the PG, the operator will have to return the security deposit of the student within 30 days. Under the new rules, the PG operator will not be able to expel any student suddenly without proper reason. Under normal circumstances, the student will have to give at least 30 days written notice to vacate the PG.

CCTV and security system will be mandatory

Keeping in mind the safety of the students, it may be made mandatory to install CCTV cameras at all the entry and exit points of the PG as well as in the common areas. The recordings of these cameras will have to be kept safe for at least 30 days, so that in case of any incident the footage can be examined. Apart from this, it will be mandatory to have security guards in PGs where there will be 15 or more students. Licensed security guards will have to be deployed in such PGs from 10 pm to 6 am.

Time for entry of people coming from outside will also be fixed

In the proposed rules, clear arrangements will also be made regarding the movement of outsiders in PG. External visitors will be allowed to enter PG only from 8 am to 9 pm. Every visitor's entry will have to be compulsorily recorded in the register, so that information about people visiting PG is available when needed. A warden will also have to be arranged in every PG. The warden must reside or maintain his office within a maximum radius of 500 meters from the PG. Also, in case of emergency, arrangements will have to be made for the warden to reach the PG within 15 minutes.

Complaints of students can be filed online

Students will be able to see important information to PG on the proposed GovPG portal. Through this portal they will be able to lodge their complaint against the PG operator online. After the complaint is registered, its status can also be tracked online. An important provision regarding the safety and complaints of students is that it is proposed to provide the facility to lodge anonymous complaints if needed. With this, students will be able to convey the problem to the concerned authorities without making their identity public.

Accommodation committee will be formed in colleges and universities

There is also a proposal to form a special accommodation committee in colleges and universities to monitor the PG system. This committee will include faculty members along with student representatives, NSS/NCC, Municipal Corporation and Police representatives. The work of the committee will be to inspect the PG and see whether the operators are following the prescribed rules or not. If any violation of rules is found, the committee will be able to issue a notice to the concerned PG operator. Apart from this, if there is a dispute between the student and the PG owner, efforts will be made to resolve it within 15 days. The proposed system will not be limited to just colleges and universities. It has also been proposed to constitute a similar accommodation committee for coaching centers and skill training institutes.

What other relief for students?

In the proposed bill, it has also been said that many provisions will be made to provide financial relief to the students. Under this, PG owners will not be able to take rent or security deposit without receipt. There is also a proposal to ban demanding more than three months advance rent from students. PG operators will not be able to arbitrarily charge extra charges in the name of electricity or other services. Apart from this, charging different fares on the basis of caste, religion, gender or state will not be allowed. With this, efforts will be made to stop discrimination against students and collection of additional fees.

PG who follow the rules will get benefit

The government has not only laid emphasis on strict enforcement of the rules, but there is also a proposal to encourage PG operators who consistently follow the rules. Those PGs who follow the rules with good records for two consecutive years can be granted the status of 'Certified Student-Friendly PG'. It is proposed to give such PG priority on the government portal and incentives like relief in possible property tax. Apart from this, it has also been considered to provide easy loan facility to improve the security system in PG and for renovation.

Challenge regarding registration of small PG

It has also been considered in the proposal that it will not be easy to register thousands of small and informal PGs running in Delhi together. Apart from this, challenges like operating the government portal, obtaining NOC from different departments and fixing appropriate fare for PG may also arise. To deal with these problems, a single-window system, phased action and arrangement of a dedicated officer have been suggested. With this, PG operators can get relief from visiting different departments and the registration process can be made easier.

Follow the LALLURAM.COM MP channel on WhatsApp