Often, resident members in cooperative housing societies (CHS) buy flats in new or redeveloped buildings, which adjoin each other and, for habitual convenience, merge them into a single flat (or a duplex flat if situated on separate floors). In most such cases, the owners remain ignorant of the rules that require them to seek explicit permission from the municipal authorities before undertaking construction to merge adjoining flats.
The Maharashtra government has announced an Abhay Yojana (amnesty scheme) for the penalty that can be levied for insufficient or non-payment of stamp duty. This scheme is a periodic government initiative to provide relief to individuals and entities by granting a waiver on unpaid or deficient stamp duty and the applicable penalties.
The managing committee of a cooperative housing society (CHS/Society) is essentially its nerve centre, handling member grievances and also overseeing financial management, among other day-to-day managerial activities within the Society. The committee members have to be elected in an election overseen by an election officer appointed by the deputy registrar of cooperative societies.
Through this weekly column, I have provided advice on various cases ranging from transfer or addition of name in share certificate, explaining the requirement and use of a succession certificate, or alternatively using a release deed to achieve the same purpose.
Last month, the national consumer disputes redressal commission (NCDRC) directed HDFC Bank Ltd to refund Rs24,000 with an interest of 7%pa (per annum) and pay Rs10,000 litigation cost to a customer whose credit card was used for fraudulent transactions at midnight. What stands out in this ruling is the way the customer filed his complaint and his meticulous follow-up until he got justice.