Allow PG owners a month to complete formalities: Cong

Chandigarh, March 1

The local unit of the Congress has raised the problems being faced by students due to sudden closure of PGs in the city after the fire incident that claimed lives of three girl students at a PG accommodation in Sector 32 on February 22.

In a letter to the UT Adviser, Pardeep Chhabra, president, Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee, said after the incident, many PGs were shutting shop due to fear of persecution and action by the Administration, which woke up from its slumber of late.

“Though it is needed that action is taken against erring PG owners, the Administration should also make some arrangements for hundreds of students who have been forced to vacate their PGs. Some girls, who were evicted suddenly from their PGs, spent the night in parks across the city, which is absolutely unsafe and involves various safety concerns,” he said.

Chhabra suggested that PG owners should be given at least one month to complete the necessary changes/requirements in their premises, so that students were not left homeless at the time when examinations were on.

In another letter to the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Chhabra said the process to apply for fire NOC for a house or PG was very complicated and approval to provide it was completely at the mercy of officers and clerical staff. — TNS