CHENNAI: The Chennai District Collectorate has so far received 234 applications for registration of hostels after a new set of new guidelines were announced for running hostels in the city to ensure safety and security of women.
Collector A Shanmuga Sundaram said that the district collectorate won't be extending the deadlines for registration of hostels and all hostels will have to submit all papers for registration on or before December 31.
Registration of all hostels was made mandatory following the arrested of a 48-year-old Sampath Raj, owner of a women's hostel in the city, for fixing hidden cameras in a women's hostel at Adambakkam.
The new guidelines also make it mandatory for hostels to install CCTV cameras and digital video recorders, appoint one warden for every 50 girls in a hostel and round-the-clock security guards.
The guidelines require the hostels to furnish no-objection certificates from the fire, police, revenue and health departments while submitting the application for approval at the collectorate office. The hostels have been given time till December 31 to submit their applications with necessary approvals. Those violating the rules will face imprisonment for up to two years.
A total of 15 guidelines highlighting the dos and don'ts for running the hostel have been provided.