CHB frames draft policy for PG accommodations in houses

Dushyant Singh Pundir

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 4

The CHB has framed a draft policy for PG accommodations in independent residential houses allotted by the board.

The move was initiated after a fire broke out inside a congested PG accommodation in Sector 32-D in which three girl students lost their lives on February 22 this year. The decision was taken to allow licensed PGs in more houses to discourage unauthorised PG accommodations.

An official said the draft policy would be taken up for approval at a meeting of the board on August 6. After getting sanction from the board, the approval of the UT Administration would also be sought in the matter.

At present, PG accommodation is not allowed in dwelling units of the CHB. Now, it has been proposed to allow PG accommodation in seven and a half marla or above independent houses allotted by the CHB.

Accordingly, the draft policy of PG accommodation in independent houses of the CHB has been attempted on the lines of policy of the UT Estate Office.

Key features of the policy

• House owner/lessee or member(s) of his/her family should be residing in the house
• The minimum usable area for one paying guest shall be 50 sq ft with adequate provision of toilet
• A register shall be maintained as a permanent record of the PGs under intimation to the police along with the permanent address and contact numbers
• The area of independent house for PG accommodation shall not be less than seven and a half marla
• The facility will be permitted only in properties sanctioned as per building bylaws and wherein no unauthorised construction has taken place
• A physical inspection will be carried out by the CHB prior to the registration
• No extra or new kitchen shall be erected beyond the approved building plan
• The owner/lessee will display the available and occupied accommodation along with the tariff plan
• The list of paying guests shall be displayed on the premises
• The house owner or lessee should register with the Secretary, CHB, so that the information of the PG accommodation can be made available on the board website
• NOC from the UT Chief Fire Officer is mandatory
• The owner shall renew the PG facility annually
• The record shall be open to inspection by Estate Officer or any authorised officer
• The Estate Officer may, in case of breach of any of the terms of conditions, stop such facility any time and pass appropriate orders of resumption/cancellation of the allotment of the site