New Delhi: Urban development minister Ashish Sood Tuesday promised a student delegation from PGs and rented accommodation clusters across the city that govt would introduce comprehensive legislation and regulations for paying guest accommodations within two months.
“The urban development department was already working on a PG policy and on implementing the Justice Gauba Committee report for coaching institutes,” Sood said. The minister said, “Since rental agreements are entered into between two private individuals, govt is examining a legal mechanism to make such tenancy agreements legally binding and enforceable. “We will speak to PG managements, parents and civic agencies to understand their concerns regarding water, the municipal corporation and the electricity department, and figure out how we can regulate them,” Sood said.
“But this tragic incident has forced us to speed up the implementation of the report and frame a policy that addresses everyone’s concerns. The proposed policy is expected to introduce mandatory licences for PGs, zone-wise rent bands, structural and fire-safety audits, and a central portal listing rents, amenities and compliance details. Govt is also considering higher FAR for universities to expand hostels, converting vacant govt properties, including unused buildings in Narela, into student accommodation with transport links, and seeking private participation and central assistance to address the housing shortage. He added that higher-level discussions were already held in a joint meeting with lieutenant governor and chief minister.
Consultations with PG operators, parents and civic agencies are planned before the policy is finalised.