Chennai: In a move that could finally bring numerous unregistered women’s hostels in the city under the scanner functioning in abysmal conditions, the collector has said that unlicensed hostels would soon be liable for criminal action.
Collector A. Shanmuga Sundaram, in a press release, said that women’s hostels would have to register themselves within a month, failing which criminal action would be initiated.
Acknowledging the fact that many complaints were received regarding the unlicensed facilities, the collector said that all hostels should be registered under the Tamil Nadu Hostels & Homes for Women & Children (Regulation) Rules 2015. The law came into force four years ago.
On August 28, DC had carried a report highlighting the poor conditions at a number of hostels, including lack of space, poor quality of food and hostels functioning out of residential spaces. They also lacked a number of approvals.
The Tamil Nadu Hostels and Homes for Women and Children (Regulation) Act, 2014, introduced to regulate the licensing and registration process of hostels along with ensuring safety and security of women and children is completely disregarded by hostel operators. Each resident according to the act has to have at least 120 sq ft of space allocated to her. Most hostels, however, had at least four women living in that space.
Further, the electricity and water connections are taken as domestic connections by hostel operators without any inspection from authorities.
“The connections are supposed to be given after an official inspects the building. If it is a commercial establishment, a commercial connection, with different charges need to be given. Bribes are given and rules are flouted and the tariff for electricity, water and LPG gas is the same as for domestic usage,” says Unnikrishnan, president of the Canal Bank Road Residents Association.
Food safety is another huge concern. Most hostel operators serve low-quality, unhealthy food to residents. According to the act, however, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) approval needs to be acquired after the food is tested.
Applications for licensing and registration for hostels and homes for women and children will be available online, the release reiterated, requesting operators to register as soon as possible.
