Satya Niketan Tragedy Impact: Within 30-45 days, the government of Delhi is coming up with an elaborate policy and website for regulation of paying guests (PGs) and coaching institutes across Delhi, according to Delhi's education minister Ashish Sood after he met the students affected by the building collapse in Satyaniketan.
This decision was taken following the collapse of a building having a boys' PG on its upper floors located in Satyaniketan, south Delhi, which claimed the lives of seven people and injured a few more.
Policy to address student concerns
Education Minister made the statement following an interaction with students of Delhi University South Campus and professional colleges affiliated with Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. “We were already working on this issue, but due to this unfortunate incident, we need to speed up its implementation and make a policy for it,” Sood said.
Some of the problems pointed out by the students include high rents, lack of proper facilities, unfair power tariffs, enforcement of rental agreements and safety of structures.
Sood further added that the government would take all stake holders into confidence, before making any policy.
Common portal to provide PG details
There is going to be a portal introduced which will act as a repository for PG accommodation details to enable students to choose wisely.
Such a portal will likely consist of:
• Details about rent and availability.
• The facilities offered at PGs by PG operators.
• The structural safety and compliance audits done at PGs.
• Agreements and other information pertaining to PG accommodation.
The government is also considering measures to ensure that the agreements become binding to avoid the situations where property owners and PG operators do not keep their promises to students.
Coaching institutes also under scrutiny
Along with the implementation of the PG policy, the Government also plans to fast-track the implementation of the Justice Gauba Committee report on coaching institutes.
This step aims to sort out issues arising from coaching institutions, especially the ones that coach students for entrance exams. There has not been any announcement regarding the final provisions.
Safety audits and alternative hostels
Satya Niketan incident has drawn attention toward the issue of student hostels in Delhi. The authorities have been asked to look into PG accommodation, which includes security of the building, permission required, fire clearance, and structural safety.
Vacant buildings are being considered as an alternative for building student hostels, including vacant buildings in Narela. Better campus accommodation and support for expansion of university hostels are some of the other possibilities.
According to Sood, the government will consult the chief minister, Rekha Gupta, and the lieutenant governor, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, before the matter goes to the cabinet.
Satya Niketan collapse raises accountability questions
The building collapse has led to an investigation into possible construction violations and the functioning of the premises as a PG. This has added to calls for greater regulation of student accommodations in Delhi.
The suggested policy and portal will serve as the regulatory structure for the PGs and coaching centers, and will make accommodation safer for students.
