A hostel for working women from Northeastern states has been built in Jasola,in view of the increasing assault against the women of Northeastern states in Delhi and NCR area. A joint venture of the ministries for Women and Child Welfare and the Ministry for Development of Northeastern region (DONER),the six-storey hostel is now accepting applications for accommodation. The hostel is meant to provide safe and affordable accommodation to working women from Northeastern states. Women who are in the capital for training programmes can also apply, said Jayashree Mukherjee,Joint Secretary,Ministry of DONER. The ministry has appointed the YWCA (Young Womens Christian Association) of Delhi as the operator of the hostel to take care of its running,the Joint Secretary said. The hostel,which can accommodate 501 residents in 167 three-bedded rooms is meant for working women from the Northeastern states who earn a maximum of Rs 30,000 per month. To aid working mothers,the hostel will also provide a creche facility on payment. Though the rent for the hostel rooms was initially fixed at Rs 3,000,the lack of applicants has led to the rent being slashed to Rs 1,500 per month,said officials from the Ministry of DONER. A hostel management committee comprises an Under Secretary (Working Women Hostel) of the Ministry of Women and Child Development,one representative from DONER,one representative from National Women Commission,the operator,one representative from residents,three members of civil society organisations working for cause of women from the Northeastern region.
