KOZHIKODE: The Kerala Women’s Commission has directed the local bodies in the district to submit a report on the number of authorised and unauthorised hostels functioning in the district immediately. The commission has also sought a report on the alleged spurt in the number of illegal facilities. The move comes after several complaints by inmates about the lack of facilities and security provided. Commission member Noorbina Rasheed forwarded a circular to the local body authorities seeking a detailed report.
Although only 24 hostels have been registered in the District at Corporation and municipality levels, more than 100 other illegal hostels are functioning here. Several people have also started accommodating students and working persons in their homes as paying guests but have not offered adequate facilities. According to the Commission, women from economically weak families, who sought accommodation at such hostels, were given poor facilities. Based on the complaints, the Commission pointed out that the problems were unhygienic conditions, poor water and power supply and ill-treatment of the inmates by hostel owners.
“We understand that even authorised hostels, mainly run by educational institutions, function without a licence from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and accommodate students in inhuman conditions”. “We are paying nearly '4,000 to '5,000 per month, but we are not satisfied with the facilities offered”, said Anila Mathew, an inmate of a city hostel here, which claims to be authorised. In spite of the hostel being located in the heart of the city, there is no security which has often led to drunkards entering the hostel.
Adding to these woes, 10 women were accommodated in a room but a single bathroom was allocated for two rooms, she added. Police officials here also said that these illegal hostels were allowing people from other states without certificates to prove identify or a school card. “We have also got information that youngsters who escape from juvenile homes take sanctuary in these illegal hostels and get involved in various crimes, said Vinod P, city police official here.
