Kathmandu, August 23
The District Administration Office, Kathmandu, has given privately operated hostels in the Kathmandu Valley a one-month deadline to improve their standards and fully comply with regulations.
The administration issued the directive following serious complaints of inhumane treatment of students, excessive fees, poor infrastructure and increasing drug use in hostels.
During recent routine and surprise inspections, the administration fined some hostels up to Rs 300,000 and sealed others.
Citing incidents including clashes inside hostels that resulted in students’ deaths, poor sanitation and food quality, and inadequate security arrangements, the administration has directed all private hostel operators to meet 21 specified requirements within a month.
According to the notice, all hostels must be registered and renewed with the designated authorities. They must also publicly display their fees and rates and charge students accordingly.
Hostel operators must sign agreements with students and, if they operate from rented properties, with the landlords as well.
Hostels must install CCTV cameras to monitor areas other than sensitive locations such as rooms and toilets. They must also provide a responsible warden and private security personnel around the clock and submit updated personal details of the operators, wardens and all resident students to the nearest police office.
The administration has strictly prohibited the use and sale of drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and tobacco products within hostels.
Hostels for male and female students must have separate office and residential buildings. Rooms must be spacious and adequately ventilated and lit, while hostels must provide libraries, study rooms, safe drinking water, electricity and alternative internet facilities.
They must also maintain proper sanitation and food quality and keep fire extinguishers and first-aid supplies readily available. Government emergency contact numbers must be displayed prominently.
Hostel operators have been instructed to ensure humane treatment, security and a dignified environment for residents. They must also prevent excessive noise and disturbances to neighbours and provide recreational activities and at least monthly training on discipline and proper conduct.
Assistant Chief District Officer and Information Officer Khimraj Bhusal said hostel operators failing to meet all the standards within the one-month deadline would face strict legal action.
