Hostels In Pune Eye New Rules For Online Food Deliveries To Enhance Security
Hostels In Pune Eye New Rules For Online Food Deliveries To Enhance Security
Pune: While government hostels in the city currently do not have strict restrictions on ordering food from outside, discussions are underway to introduce regulations for online food delivery services. This initiative is being considered to address security concerns, including unauthorized entry and the potential misuse of delivery services for transporting illegal substances.
The issue gained attention after an incident at a government hostel in Moshi, where a notice was issued to a student, suspending her hostel stay for a month for ordering pizza from outside. Following this, authorities have started reviewing existing hostel policies. While hostels under the Social Welfare Department have stricter regulations, those affiliated with Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) and Pune Municipal Corporation currently allow food deliveries. However, the Moshi incident has prompted discussions on including specific guidelines for online food delivery in hostel rules.
Existing Hostel Regulations
Hostel management primarily enforces rules concerning students’ safety, including behavior, entry-exit timings, use of facilities, and visitor policies. With the growing presence of online delivery services and past incidents involving delivery personnel misusing access, hostels are now considering additional precautions.
At SPPU hostels, students are permitted to order food from outside, but deliveries made at night are stored with security personnel. Students cannot directly collect parcels at the gate; instead, they must retrieve them from security guards. Food deliveries are allowed until 11 PM. However, concerns remain about potential misuse of delivery services for illicit substances, as past incidents at the university have revealed students possessing banned items. In response, discussions are underway to incorporate new delivery-related rules into hostel policies.
Social Welfare Department’s Stand
Pramod Jadhav, Joint Commissioner of the Social Welfare Department, stated that while there is no official written policy on bringing outside food, students are expected to follow certain guidelines. Hostels provide meals, and bringing food from external sources is discouraged due to quality concerns. However, for special occasions like birthdays, students may be allowed to bring food after providing a written assurance that it is fresh and hygienic. The department is currently considering drafting formal regulations on online food deliveries.
Pune Municipal Corporation’s Hostel Rules
According to Nitin Udas, Deputy Commissioner of PMC’s Social Welfare Department, hostel residents are not permitted to be absent from the hostel between 10 PM and 6 AM without written permission. Visitors must leave by 8 PM, and overnight stays are strictly prohibited. Students are allowed to order food until 11 PM, but they must collect it at the entrance. No unknown individuals are permitted entry, and women are not allowed inside the premises of boys’ hostels. These measures aim to maintain security while adapting to changing times.
With rising safety concerns and changing delivery patterns, hostels across Pune are working towards a structured policy to regulate online food delivery while ensuring students’ well-being.
