Working women’s hostel lying vacant sans furniture

Nellore: Even though working women’s hostel in city was inaugurated six months ago still it had not started its services due to lack of equipment. The hostel is located in Vedayapalem in the southern part of the city which was constructed with Rs 2.25 crore and has been inaugurated in December last. But, the furniture problem has been haunting the hostel as the contractor failed to supply the material. Consequently, working women were facing difficulties to bear huge costs in private hostels.

Nellore is having around 6 lakh population which has been emerging as an important city with industries, economic zones, thermal plants and many other manufacturing units which have come up in around the city.

Naturally, avenues have also been increasing for the women and they have to accommodate somewhere for attending duties. But, the difficulty now comes with lack of focus from government side as the Women and Child Welfare department has not paid proper attention on providing amenities in the hostel. There are around 6,000 women work in various organisations in and around the city and have been residing in private hostels in the city who are collecting Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 per month from each person.

“Major problem with private hostels is insecurity and exorbitant charges. But, we have to join somewhere immediately after getting a job. Even though, there has been huge demand, government is not focusing on setting hostels for working women. Construction of hostel started six months ago, still they are inviting tenders for furniture, serving notices and other official procedures,” said A Kalyani, working in a private company and staying in a private hostel in Balaji Nagar.

AP Women’s Co-operative Development Corporation Limited had allocated a hostel for the city and officials have also invited tenders for arranging furniture in the hostel six months ago. But, the contractor who bagged tender had failed to supply furniture till now even after six months.

This inordinate delay has been causing discomfort for many women, who are waiting for the accommodation in the facility. Officials said they were planning to collect of Rs 2,500-3,000 per month from each person. A senior official said they are planning to serve notices to the contractor for immediate supply of furniture to the hostel.