MUCH NEEDED relief is finally on the way for thousands of outstation students forced to live in urban hell holes masquerading as private hostels.
Madhya Pradesh Human Rights Commission (MPHRC) has directed civic bodies to frame by-laws to ensure that denizens of private hostels are provided all basic amenities including adequate space, running water, electricity, fans and good sanitation.
In a recent missive to Principal Secretary (Urban Administration Development), the Commission cited Section 427 of the MP Municipal Corporation Act, 1956, that empowers civic bodies frame by-laws regulating the operation of hostels. The letter further directed that the rules be drawn up at the earliest so that they can be made effective through a gazette notification before the next academic session.
The HRC diktat will warm the cockles of the thousands of students who arrive in the City to receive coaching for MBA, IIT and other professional degrees. Most of the students, hailing from mofussil towns and quasi-rural districts near Indore, end up in the approximately 1500-odd hostelries that dot the City.
It is common practice for hostel owners to rob students of even the most basic facilities in the guise of helping them save money. And while the youngsters realise they are being taken for a ride few care to raise their voice for fear of being thrown out.
Surprisingly, while civic bodies in Bhopal and Jabalpur have taken cognisance of the problem and even framed by-laws currently awaiting the government’s nod, Indore- the State’s hostel capital - remains blissfully unconcerned.
When contacted Additional Municipal Commissioner Kumar Purushottam said he couldn’t recall offhand whether the IMC had received any directive from the UAD with regard to the hostels.
Surprisingly, while civic bodies in Bhopal and Jabalpur have taken cognisance of the problem and even framed by-laws currently awaiting the government’s nod, Indore- the State’s hostel capital - remains blissfully unconcerned.
When contacted Additional Municipal Commissioner Kumar Purushottam said he couldn’t recall offhand whether the IMC had received any directive from the UAD with regard to the hostels.