Women's hostels lack security, basic amenities: BJP survey

 A survey of womens’ hostels across the state conducted by the BJP Mahila Morcha has revealed that most of the hostellers stay without proper security and basic amenities.

According to Morcha president Bharati Shetty, the survey covered 740 hostels run by the state government for Other Backward Classes and SC/ST women students.

The survey has revealed that most of the hostels are overcrowded - 28% of them having dwellers six times their accommodation capacity. Students have to sleep in the kitchen and dining hall to make up for the lack of space. Shetty submitted the survey report to Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya in Bengaluru on Friday.

According to the survey report, 20% of the hostels are in a dilapidated condition and need immediate renovation. Another factor that has been noted in the report is lack of furniture in the hostels including cots and dining tables. As many as 317 hostels did not have hot water facilities while 418 hostels did not have cots. Besides, there is lack of proper security in the hostels - 286 hostels did not have watchmen.

Speaking to reporters after receiving the survey report, Anjaneya said tenders have been called for installation of CCTV cameras at the hostels. The cameras will be in place at all hostels by the start of the next academic year. Only women wardens will be deputed at the hostels and the Karnataka Public Service Commission had been entrusted with the responsibility of recruitment, he said.

The Morcha members have threatened to go on a state-wide agitation if reform measures are not put in place in the hostels within the next few months.