From Our Correspondent
NEW DELHI : The University Grants Commission has written to all state and Central universities to keep a strict vigil on campus and girls hostels in order to give better security to girls.

The suggestion follows the rape case in Delhi which, the UGC said, demands better security for girls studying in various universities. State universities will shortly impose restrictions on male visitors to girls’ hostels on campuses.

In a letter addressed to the vice-chancellors of all the universities, UGC chairman Ved Prakash said, “Recent disturbing incidents have necessitated reviewing our efforts towards providing women increased security and protection on our university campuses. I request you to seriously review the security arrangements for girls and women on our university campuses and wherever necessary, these arrangements may be further strengthened both in and around the girls' hostels on the campuses. You may consider putting in place a dedicated task force comprising senior colleagues, which can constantly monitor the existing arrangements and the additional ones put into operation."

In a knee-jerk reaction most state universities have constituted "task force" and issued orders putting curbs on the visiting hours of the girls hostels. In Hyderabad, for example, male visitors can meet women students outside the gate of the hostel only up to 7.30 pm. CCTVs will also be installed near the women's hostels on campuses.

In Delhi, the affiliated colleges are trying to streamline their measures to put a security cordon round their girls hostels.

Nearly 30 per cent of students - which comes to an estimated 19,000 - enrolling across DU colleges come from outside Delhi and vye for just 1,000 seats available to first-year students in campus hostels. Other than the lucky thousand-odd students, almost 18,000 freshers have to turn elsewhere every year.

Though there is no dearth of private hostels and paying guest (PG) accommodations in the Capital, choosing one is a big headache for students as they have to keep several parameters in mind such as distance from the college, safety and their budgets, among others.

North Campus, with its colleges located in close proximity, offers numerous options. Jawahar Nagar and Kamla Nagar, which are situated right in the heart of the campus and market activity, are the major hubs for PG accommodation - both commercial and noncommercial - and students usually don't have problems finding an option that suits them. Area such as Roop Nagar and Shakti Nagar are gaining popularity among those who prefer a residential locality.

Hygiene, decent food, spacious rooms, wi-Fi connections and other facilities make life much easier as an outstation living here," said Ekta Batra, a third year student living in a PG with a rent of above Rs.10,000.

Students who secure admissions in South Campus colleges have a relatively harder time. The seats in most PG accommodations at Satya Niketan are usually already full by July first week. Owners say they started getting request for accommodation right from the declaration of the first cut-off.

Girls have it easier in both North and South Campuses. Not only they have more options but hostels/PGs for them are mostly located closer to the Campus. Male students have limited options, leaving rental flats as an alternative. They share flats in areas like Munirka and Safdarjung Enclave, where the rents start at around Rs.20,000 per month.