Over 200-odd representatives of housing societies vent their ire against them

Officials of the state co-operative department, particularly those from the stamp duty and registration office, came under a scathing attack from several representatives of the housing societies who blamed them for the ills afflicting the poor functioning of co-operative housing societies in the city.

A majority of the representatives belonging to over 200-odd residential co-operative societies vented their ire against the co-operative department, accusing its officials of complete non co-operation and lethargy, at the co-operative housing society meet.

It was jointly organised by the Maharashtra Government Co-operatives Department and Poona District Co-operative Housing Federation at Ganesh Kala Krida Manch on Thursday.

Criticising the department for its inefficiency, a member of the federation, Lt Colonel (retd) VK Johar, said it had become a trend in the co-operative housing societies, especially the bigger ones, to cover up various acts of omission and commission of the past management committee in the absence of vigil by the registrars of the co-operative department.

"Members of some of the housing societies have even used the services of some unscrupulous lawyers to contest the decisions of the registrars and manipulate the society's funds to cover up the frauds, even if they were exposed by government auditors," he said.

According to Johar, "Many times, members of the co-operative housing societies are even encouraged by the lack of interference by the registrar authorities, who have been empowered under section 3 of the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act, 1960 to supervise, regulate and control the functioning of housing societies.

A representative of Netajinagar Co-operative Society, Wanavdi, KR Bhatia, demanded that the registrar should come clean over the issue of complaints lodged by the society members against the corrupt managing committee members.

"A number of things has to be clarified for the common man and the department should take a proactive stand in creating awareness among the masses about the powers of the co-operative department," he suggested.

Sub-registrar Sunil Deshmukh clarified that the department had initiated a series of steps aimed at alleviating the plight of the residential co-operative societies.

Replying to the charges of the department officials being non-co-operative and rude, Deshmukh said strict action would be initiated against those found guilty.

However, he made it clear that the people had every option to contact the higher authorities in case they felt that the department officials were not cooperating.

The Poona District Co-operative Housing Federation has been rendering diverse services in promoting co-operative housing in the city including guiding the public in matters related to co-operative housing societies and holding seminars and conferences on matters of importance of co-operative housing movement.''

“Members of some of the housing societies have even used the services of some unscrupulous lawyers to contest the decisions of the registrars and manipulate the society's funds to cover up the frauds, even if they were exposed by government auditors”—Lt Colonel (retd) VK Johar, member of Poona District Co-operative Housing Federation

Nature of complaints

False information for registration of a society

Denial of membership rights

Non-occupancy charges

Non-availability of the required bonafide documents

Non-acceptance of cheques

Record not properly maintained at the registrar offices

Overcharging of stamp duties

Non-cooperation and harassment of senior citizens

Nadeem Inamdar/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication