Representative Image Bangalore, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike ,BBMP) has extended the time limit for implementation of the relevant revised guidelines by one week. Paying Guest The new last date for application for (PG) accommodation is September 21.
The extension has come as a relief to PG owners, who were hoping for more time to revise and comply with the guidelines.
The BBMP had initially set a deadline of September 15, warning that non-compliance would lead to action under Sections 307 and 308 of the 2020 BBMP Act. The guidelines include a requirement of 70 sqft per person and a 90-day retention period for CCTV footage — measures that have been strongly opposed by the PG Owners Welfare Development Association.
The association had requested to reduce the space requirement to 35 sqft and preserve CCTV footage for a month. A delegation of PG owners raised these concerns to BBMP special commissioner Vikas Kishor Suralkar, who forwarded them to the chief commissioner for consideration.
Dr Syed Sirajuddin Madani, chief health officer of the BBMP, confirmed the extension and the ongoing discussions. “The PG owners’ association has raised legitimate concerns about the 70 sqft per person rule and keeping 90-day CCTV footage. These concerns have been forwarded to the chief commissioner, and there is a possibility that some guidelines may be relaxed,” he said.
PG owners said some BBMP-run hostels allot very little space per person — sometimes as little as 20*14 feet. This has led to demands for more liberal rules in the final draft.
The BBMP has also agreed to issue and renew licences for PGs operating in residential areas — a key point of contention. “We are hopeful that the guidelines will be revised and the extended deadline will give us enough time to comply,” said Arun Kumar, president of the PG owners’ association.
A meeting has been scheduled soon, in which the BBMP chief will take a final decision on the revised guidelines and the future of PG facilities in the city.
