SHILLONG: Despite an order from the government prohibiting government-aided and privately owned hostels in the state to desist from charging rent or fees from students during lockdown starting from April, private hostel owners have failed to follow the order, said the Shillong Manipuri Students’ Union.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the union said there are few non-locals from various NE states who are renting houses to set up private hostels and the government has so far not issued any order on exemption of house rent. The union said they have received several complaints from few private hostellers who have returned to their native states that hostel owners have been repeatedly asking them to pay the fees.
The union also pointed out the dilemma which private hostel owners are facing as they themselves are asked to pay rent by their respective landlords. ‘In order to survive, hostel owners are compelled to take fees from the students but this is a burden to the students and their families,’ the release said. The union has appealed to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Deputy CM Prestone Tynsong and concerned officials to intervene and look into the matter at the earliest. The union further appealed to the KSU and other NE students’ organisations to work together for the welfare of the students in the state. The union has also requested landlords to not take rent on humanitarian ground and for the goodwill of the people of the state.
