ALLAHABAD: Though the shootout in two hostels, wherein one belongs to a trust and other to Allahabad University, have send ripples among legal occupants, it has once again raised the issue that superintendents and wardens do not prefer to stay in the hostel premises thereby making hostels a safe haven for criminals and unscrupulous elements.

There are eight boys and four girls hostels which belong to AU. In addition, there are five hostels belonging to different trusts. But of these 17 hostels, only five superintendents stay in the allotted houses which are within the premises of respective hostel. And, of the four girls’ hostels, only two superintendents resides within the hostel campus. And among those of boys, well out of 13 hostels only three superintendents reside in the accommodation provided within the hostel campus.

The problem is of utmost concern as, one, most teachers are unwilling to become hostel superintendents, and second, they prefer to stay in houses located outside, said dean student welfare Prof R K Singh. “We are sure that if the superintendents start living in the houses located within the hostel campus, the unscrupulous elements will not dare enter the hostels,” he added.

The problem has become grimmer following the implementation of the sixth pay commission report after which the house rent allowance (HRA), being paid to teachers, has increased manifold is now somewhere between Rs 9,000 and Rs 12,000 per month.

Now, since a teacher, who becomes a hostel superintendent, can afford a decent accommodation outside, he/she is reluctant to
for the official accommodation.

“Not having superintendents at the hostel premises is our major problem which could be solved if some extra benefits are granted to them,” said AU chief proctor Prof Jata Shankar.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com