Despite several alerts, only 1,046 hostels have applied for registration with the Chennai Collectorate.
Chennai Collector A. Shanmuga Sundaram, on Friday said, “We received 1,046 applications. We have given licence to seven of them. Over 48 of them have been given provisional licence. The other cases are under scrutiny,” he said.
Ball park estimates show that Chennai could have over 4,000 hostels and paying guest accommodations.
ADVERTISEMENT
“There are so many hostels which are yet to apply for licence. Once the model code of conduct ends, raids will be conducted and stern action will be taken against those hostels functioning without even applying for licence,” the collector said.
According to the Tamil Nadu Hostels and Home for Women and Children (Regulation) Act, 2015, all women and children’s hostels must be registered with the respective district collectorate.
In December 2018, Chennai Collector had mandated that all hostels must be registered, failing which they cannot continue operations.
ADVERTISEMENT
Mr. Shanmuga Sundaram said they would soon start tracking all unregistered hostels across the city. Since this is an unorganized industry, it was difficult to get details, he said.
All applications received will be reviewed thoroughly before giving away the licence. A handful of men’s hostels have also applied for licence.
The collector also made it clear that if any violation is found, a showcause notice would be issued to the authorities running the hostels.
‘Unaware of process’
One of the hostel owners in Chennai, said, “Many small hostel owners are still unaware about the registration process. Maybe after elections more people will come forward and register,” he added.
The hostel business, which is highly unorganized, has an estimated turnover of over ₹1,000 crore per annum. On an average, hostels in Chennai charge anywhere between ₹2,500 to ₹15,000 per month.