It is very heartening to see the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) drive to register private hostels and paying guests under them. Due to the flow of population from rural to urban areas mostly for the purpose of seeking higher education and jobs, there is a huge demand for private hostels and paying guests in cities like Guwahati. The GMC drive promises to address the interests of dwellers, so it needs to be replicated in other parts of the State. It must be noted that private hostels and homes keeping paying guests charge inordinately high dues which is beyond the capacity of average financial background of dwellers. As part of meeting their educational needs, there should also be a mechanism to ensure reasonable seat rent in private hostels, keeping in mind the limited residency facilities in various institutions. Disciplinary action for those running hostels illegally is really a praiseworthy step that the GMC Commissioner has taken.
Bishakha Bhardwaj,
Orang,Udalguri.