UT to frame policy on PGs

Ramkrishan Upadhyay

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh June 30

In a bid to regulate the business of paying guests (PGs), the district administration has decided to frame a policy.

Sources said Ajit Balaji Joshi, Deputy Commissioner-cum-Estate Officer, had constituted a committee to give suggestions for framing a “balanced policy which addresses the concerns of PGs as well as those running the business.

The process for framing the policy was initiated after the Estate Officer received a large number of complaints from residents regarding nuisance being created by PGs. Thousands of PGs live in various sectors of the city.

The UT Administration had last framed guidelines in 2007 and houses above 7.5 marla were allowed to keep PGs. Registration of PG accommodation was made mandatory, but few owners complied with the directions.

Ajay Jagga, an advocate and social activist who has been raising the issue for a balanced policy, welcomed the move and said in the absence of regulations, PG accommodations had become a source of nuisance and a hub of illegal activities.

These are also causing traffic congestion due to lack of adequate parking space with PGs parking their vehicles on both sides of roads.

Jagga said there was need to define the term paying guest. Over the years, the Administration had failed to define the term paying guest and to distinguish it from the term tenant.

In the absence of a clear definition of paying guest, the Administration had failed to frame proper guidelines.