Housing society gladiators, fight on wrong battlegrounds

After amendment to cooperative housing society Act, lot of people asked me several questions. Most of the questions were related to their own society. From the questions they asked, it was clear that most of them wanted to settle score with somebody. There are always some issues in the every cooperative housing society. Many society members behave like gladiators. They treat committee members as personal servants. As well, some committee members also behave as if society is their personal kingdom. Allegations of misbehaviour, malpractices and corruption on committee members are common everywhere.

However, on the background of amendments in co-operative housing society act (CHS), as per 97th ammendment to the constitution of India. Henceforth handling CHS is going to be more difficult. As per new amendments, there is provision of penalizing committee members and also there is a provision of cessation of membership on some default. General body of the society may prescribe penalties to the member for different breaches of the byelaws of the society. In addition, there are provisions of penalty to the committee members for consistent defaults, acting against the interest of the institution, deadlock in the board of directors, not ordering elections within specified time, corruption, irregularities in duty, deliberately giving false information, disobeying orders of authorities etc etc.

Most important fact is, as the real estate scenario is changing fast and property rates are going high. There is lot of possibility of misuse of provisions from both the sides. Committee members may use their power to harass society members, As well; society members may also threaten committee members on pity issues. This is not a forecast, such incidences are happening in the cities already.

However, it is not the case that intention behind every such incidence is to grab the property or to teach lesson to committee members. Many times the concerned people are not aware of where to peruse his/her case. Hence, some times, for issues like irregular supply of water from local authority people hold committee members responsible. That means they choose wrong battleground to fight. However, what is the solution? I do not know how much it will be effective but, I guess frequent awareness campaigns in every housing society for member's rights and duties may reduce such menace.