PGs in Kharar flout norms, administration conducts inspection

Our Correspondent

Kharar, February 24

The administration swung into action keeping in view the recent incident in which three girls died in a fire at a PG in Chandigarh. Various PGs operating in the area were checked by a team of officials, headed by Kharar SDM Himanshu Jain.

According to information, the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) inspected some PG centres at Khanpur and Ghauran villages and other places in the town on Monday.

Kharar has become an education hub in the recent years. A large number of students are staying in various paying guest (PG) accommodations in the area.

When asked, Jain said he had checked some PG accommodations and found that no fire extinguisher was available at these centres. Even the basic norm to allot minimum 50 sq-feet space to each student was not followed, he added. Three to four students were found living in small rooms, he said.

Violation of more rules were found at these PG accommodations, he added. “Orders have been issued to owners of all PG accommodations to get their centres registered with the Municipal Council within 30 days and follow all the guidelines issued in this regard,” he added.

“A 100 per cent police verification of students, who are staying in PG accommodations has to be done by organisers,” he said.