Chandigarh Admn finalises revised policy for PG registration

Dushyant Singh Pundir

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 28

Seven days after the tragic incident at a PG in Sector 32 here, VP Singh Badnore, Administrator, UT, has finalised a revised policy for registration of paying guest (PG) accommodation keeping in view the need for accommodation of students in private houses as also their safety and security. 

In addition to the previous stipulations, certain new provisions such as mandatory fire clearance, annual renewal of licence, indemnity certificate from PG owners, etc, have been added to the new policy. The Administration has also decided not to exempt the requirement of house owners staying in the PG accommodation.

Keeping in view the requirement for accommodation, the Administration will shortly introduce a new category of hostels where house owners can rent out buildings for hostels after meeting the statutory stipulations.

Manoj Parida, Adviser to UT Administrator, said: “The intention is not to close down the PGs, but to get them regularised through proper registration. Registration counters have been opened in the office of the Deputy Commissioner which will remain open even on Saturday and Sunday this week. Online application 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,” he added.

In a much needed respite, the Administration has also allowed the PG owners to operate on the undertaking that necessary fire clearance will be obtained within one month.

To reduce students’ woes, the UT Administration has allowed various bhawans in the city to accommodate students on a 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 UT Engineering Department has already started construction of hostels for 6,000 students at colleges in Sector 42, 46, 50 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.

During the ongoing inspections being undertaken in various sectors to check illegal operations of PGs, the enforcement teams of the Administration today sealed five houses. Two houses were sealed yesterday for flouting the norms.

Meanwhile, the Estate Office today received a total of 23 complaints on its helpline number 1860-1802067. Of the total complaints, 13 were received from the South subdivision and five each from the Central and East subdivisions. A total of 104 complaints have been received by the Estate Office on its helpline number in the past four days.

Registration open this weekend

Registration counters to remain open on Saturday and Sunday this week. Online applications will also be introduced shortly

New provisions

• Mandatory fire clearance
• Annual renewal of licence
• Indemnity certificate from PG owners

Hostel category

The Administration will shortly introduce a new category of hostels where house owners can rent out buildings for hostels after meeting the statutory stipulations.

Relaxation to PG owners

Those premises which do not have occupation certificate will be allowed provisional registration subject to the condition that occupation certificate will be obtained within a period of three months. The Administration has also allowed the PG owners to operate on an undertaking that necessary fire clearance will be obtained within one month.

To ease woes of students

Various bhawans have been allowed to accommodate students on a payment basis, if they so desire. Colleges have also been told to accommodate students evicted from illegal PGs temporarily in spaces or dormitories available.

Clearance in 2 days

The DC has been directed to ensure that all applications for the registration of PGs are cleared within two days. Twelve applications were received at a special help desk on Friday.

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