Bidhannagar Police seek PG info from New Town RWAs

Bidhannagar Police has begun requesting Resident Welfare Associations in New Town to pinpoint flats converted into paying guest accommodations. They aim to create a database of non-resident paying guests in the housing complexes. Additionally, they are urging owners to keep a record of paying guests' documents and furnish them when required.

In October, a 21-year-old aspiring MBBS student, who was preparing for NEET while residing as a paying guest in the city, was drugged and murdered by an acquaintance he met at the PG accommodation. The perpetrator abducted him after being enticed by his iPhone and lavish lifestyle, hoping to extort a hefty ransom from his family in Malda. Additionally, several fake call center employees, who had been residing as paying guests within gated communities and conducting criminal activities from their residences, were apprehended earlier this year.

We are working on creating a new database of paying guests residing within the Bidhannagar commissionerate jurisdiction to gain a clearer understanding of non-residents living in the area. Our intention is not to oppose flat owners from hosting paying guests, but rather to ensure that they maintain appropriate documentation. Additionally, we are requesting Resident Welfare Associations to compile a list of flats functioning as PG accommodations," stated a senior officer of Bidhannagar City Police.

As per the regulations, once the number of lodgers exceeds five, a flat or house is classified as a guest house, necessitating a trade license and an annual fee of Rs 1,250 imposed by the New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA). Owners are also required to notify the local police about occupants and furnish verification documents for the lodgers. Nevertheless, officials have noted that a large number of owners are either unaware of the regulation or choose not to adhere to it.

NKDA is currently undertaking a survey throughout New Town to determine if any residential properties are being used for commercial purposes. An NKDA official stated, Specific regulations must be adhered to and a fee must be paid if a residential building is being utilized as a commercial space.

By LNN (Liyaans News Network)