Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood has announced that the government will bring out a comprehensive policy and web portal within the next six weeks to regulate PG accommodations and coaching institutes across the city. The minister made the announcement following his meeting with students residing in PG accommodations to understand their concerns. This development comes days after the tragic collapse of a building in Satya Niketan, leaving seven dead and several injured, most of whom were students studying in colleges in Delhi University South Campus.
The minister stated that the government was already working on this, but the tragic incident has forced them to expedite the implementation of the Gauba Committee Report and formulate a policy at the earliest. He also added that the DU South Campus and professional college students under the Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University were also invited to share theur concerns as users of PG accommodations.
Students, during their interaction with the minister, raised issues related to rent, facilities provided by PG operators, implementation of agreements and safety. Soon also mentioned that the government is considering a system under which details of PG accommodations, including their availability, facilities ans safety norms, will be registered to be accessed by potential tenants.
He added that the PG building may belong to one person, be operated by another and the money collected by a completely different person. He also highlighted that the implementation of agreements and facilities promised to students are a major concern. The government will consult PG managements, parents, agencies, student organisations and other stakeholders, including the departments dealing with water and electricity, before finalising a policy.
The proposal will also be discussed with the Chief Minister and Lieutenant Governor before being placed before the cabinet. The minister assured that the policy will be brought before the public within one to one and a half months after consulting with all stakeholders. The proposed legislation will also lay down safety and security standards for PG accommodations.
The government is also working on addressing the shortage of hostel accommodations for students from outside the city. More than 2 lakh students from outside the city come to Delhi and need hostel accommodations.
The master plan of the policy includes increasing permissible floor area ratio (FAR) for hostels, and the government is also open to seeking support from the Centre for additional FAR to create more accommodations.
The government will facilitate redevelopment of DU hostels by providing increased FAR and expediting approval of building plans. The minister also announced that private players will continue to have a role in meeting the demand despite the efforts to expand government and institutional hostels.
The government will also explore whether vacant buildings in Narela could be used for student accommodation, with bus services connecting them to educational institutions to ensure a safe environment.
The minister mentioned that the government has been working on student accommodations and regulations of PGs before the tragedy at Satya Niketan. The government will also regulate the PGs and work on setting safety and security standards for them. The government will also take into account the concerns of all stakeholders while framing the policy and work towards creating safer accommodation for students, he added.
