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Time of India
19-07-2025
- Time of India
Short-term rentals in Noida under scanner as highrise ‘b&bs' proliferate
Noida: Short-term rentals in high-rise residential societies have come under scrutiny following a spate of complaints about loud parties, drug use, and unauthorised commercial activity. Officials say properties listed on online booking platforms are being used as unregistered guesthouses and party venues, often in violation of housing and excise norms. At a recent Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) meeting, DM Manish Verma directed police, excise officials and other agencies to investigate these properties. You Can Also Check: Noida AQI | Weather in Noida | Bank Holidays in Noida | Public Holidays in Noida "We need to examine the legality of such rentals," Verma said. "If someone is letting out a flat for a day or two, it must comply with the Sarai Act. If liquor is being served, the flat owner must also have a home bar licence under UP excise rules." The Sarai Act, 1867, aims to standardise and regulate the operations of sarais or guesthouses, ensuring they are maintained properly and provide basic amenities to travellers. The Act outlines penalties for violations of its provisions, including fines and potential disqualification for owners. While platforms like Airbnb allow flexible stays, officials say the absence of regulation has allowed some units to become hotspots for disruptive gatherings and, in some cases, illegal drug use. Excise officer Subodh Kumar, who was present at the meeting, said many flat owners and brokers are letting out properties on a daily or weekly basis without any oversight. "These flats are technically residential but are functioning like mini hotels or party spots. This is not just a violation of housing regulations but also a potential threat to law and order," Kumar said. A multi-agency team will now survey residential societies where such listings are common and submit a detailed report to the district administration. Officials told TOI that short-term rentals were mostly operating out of studio apartments in under-construction residential societies without residents welfare association and apartment owners associations, making it difficult for them to track such activities. Typically, these are furnished flats with WI-FI and parking facilities, and charge anywhere between Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000 a night. Currently, there is no formal regulatory framework for such rentals. Lack of hotels and guesthouses, especially near business and industrial hubs, makes these short-term rentals attractive to people visiting the city for work. The average rent of studio apartments in Noida ranges from Rs 35,000 to Rs 45,000 per month and from Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 in Greater Noida. Rajiva Singh, president of the Noida Federation of Apartment Owners' Associations (NOFAA), said no residential society in Noida with a functioning RWA or AOA currently allows short-term rentals. "There was one society in Sector 137 where studio apartments were being rented out on Airbnb a couple of years ago, but that was stopped once the AOA was elected," he said. Singh raised concerns over security. "If new people are coming and going every night, who takes responsibility for the area's safety? Unlike tenants, daily visitors aren't subject to police verification," he added. The DM also called drug abuse in youths a matter of concern. "Drug addiction is not just misleading youth, it's weakening the social fabric. Every department must work together to stop it," he said during the meeting. He also stressed the importance of awareness campaigns involving schools, colleges, hostels, PGs, and RWAs. Surprise inspections will be carried out, and institutions will need to submit affidavits declaring their campuses drug-free. The administration is also planning to publicly recognise educational institutes that actively keep their spaces clean of drug activity.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Time of India
UT to develop portal to keep track of schedule H drugs
Chandigarh: For real-time monitoring of all schedule H drugs, the Chandigarh administration will develop a portal where chemists can upload records of such drugs available with them. Deputy commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav chaired a meeting of the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) on Tuesday to discuss prevailing issues related to drug trafficking, substance abuse, and associated public health and safety concerns within the UT. The meeting aimed to reinforce enforcement mechanisms, streamline inter-departmental coordination, and ensure effective ground-level execution of anti-drug measures. During the deliberations, Yadav directed all sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs) to inspect a minimum of three chemist shops per month in their respective jurisdictions. These inspections are to be conducted in collaboration with drug inspectors to ensure comprehensive compliance with regulatory norms governing the sale and distribution of pharmaceutical substances. A key focus of the directive was to ensure that all chemist shops within UT Chandigarh are equipped with functional and strategically positioned CCTV cameras providing full visual coverage of the shop premises. It is also mandated that all such CCTV systems maintain a minimum backup storage capacity of 30 days of recorded footage. This measure is being instituted as a deterrent against illegal activities and to strengthen accountability in the pharmaceutical retail sector. It was further emphasised that any instance of non-compliance or regulatory violation identified during such inspections shall attract strict punitive action in accordance with the relevant provisions of law. The district information officer was directed to develop a portal where chemists can upload records of all scheduled-H drugs available with them for real-time monitoring. Officials of the health department were directed to start a drug de-addiction centre at GMSH Sector 16, Chandigarh. Additionally, the education department, UT Chandigarh, has been instructed to undertake a comprehensive survey to identify and eliminate the presence of any tobacco vendors operating within a 100-yard radius of educational institutions. A consolidated report on the action taken is to be submitted to the superintendent of police (crime), UT, within 15 days from the date of issuance of this directive. Furthermore, the police department and education department have been jointly tasked with preparing and implementing a structured action plan aimed at conducting awareness campaigns and educational programmes to sensitize students and youth about the dangers of drug abuse. These initiatives are intended to build resilience, promote healthy lifestyle choices, and foster a drug-free environment across the city. The meeting also took note of the nationwide launch of the Tele MANAS (Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States) initiative by the govt of India. This programme offers round-the-clock mental health counselling and support services through telephone and digital platforms. The primary objective of Tele MANAS is to provide timely emotional support, coping strategies, and professional referrals to individuals experiencing psychological distress, mental health disorders, or stress-related issues. Citizens are encouraged to avail themselves of the free and confidential services of Tele MANAS by calling the national mental health helpline number 14416.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Time of India
Strict measures necessary to curb drug abuse in Udupi district: DC
Udupi: All departments must work in coordination to completely curb the transportation, sale, and usage of narcotic substances in the district, said DC Vidya Kumari K. Presiding over the district-level co-ordination committee meeting of the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) on Wednesday, she said, "Youth are increasingly drawn towards narcotic substances. Awareness campaigns and various competitions should be organised in educational institutions to raise awareness about the harmful effects of drug use and to discourage consumption." She noted that such programmes are already being conducted in certain institutions, and emphasised the need to collect data on how effective these programmes have been. She also pointed out that labourers are getting addicted to tobacco products and other narcotics, and instructed the labour department officials to conduct awareness and de-addiction programmes at workplaces to help individuals steer clear of substance abuse. Officials from the agriculture, horticulture, and forest departments were directed to periodically inspect farms and plantations to ensure that cannabis is not being cultivated. While there have been no complaints regarding narcotics being transported through postal parcels, the DC stressed the need to inspect private parcel service offices and online marketplace warehouses as well. She further instructed railway staff to remain vigilant about drug trafficking at stations and investigate any suspicious individuals. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Complete protection with iPru All-in-one Term Plan ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo The coastal security police must inspect fishing harbours regularly, to check for drug supply routes and monitor drug sales and trafficking at beaches. The DC also informed that nine cases of unsafe food items were registered in the additional DC's court, of which, six resulted in fines totalling Rs 80,000. The remaining three cases are ongoing. Additionally, six cases related to hazardous food items are under trial in the JMFC court. She directed officials to regularly collect food samples from ready-to-eat items sold in the market and send them for lab analysis. SP Arun K said that restricted and prescription drugs should not be sold freely to the public, and the district drug control officers must monitor pharmacies strictly. He urged everyone to work together to make Udupi a drug-free district. The meeting was attended by ASP PA Hegde, DFO Ganapathi and other district officers.
