Thursday, February 25, 2010

RWAs of DDA Flats

DDA while allotting flats had taken an undertaking that all allottees will form an association as per model constitution and it will be mandatory for all to be its member. Such association will have to register itself under co-operative act along with its constitution and conduct its affairs accordingly. The main function of the association is to maintain common potion and common services, and the welfare of its residents. The members are required to elect its executive body consisting of President, Vice-president, Secretary, Joint secretary and the Treasurer besides block representatives. The executive body is responsible to conduct day to day affairs of the association as per needs of its residents in line with the constitution and hold general body meetings once in three months. The term of the executive body is for one year. At the end of its term it is required to present its accounts duly audited in the general body and take its approval. The members are required to pay their monthly subscription as fixed from time to time.

With the passage of time DDA colonies were handed over to MCD thus de-linking itself from these associations. With the result there is no one to look into its affairs accept apex body of co-operative societies who have no time or infrastructure to monitor them. Many of these flats are more than 30 years old and there common portions are ill maintained and crumbling. At most places unplanned and unauthorized alterations and construction has taken place threatening basic foundation and structure and can be a disaster in waiting. There are members who do not pay their subscription and association has no legal authority to collect over-dues from them. Even at most places associations are not functioning as per the constitution. They do not hold elections or in time, instead executive members are planted by a dominant group and they conduct their affairs in the way they want ignoring general feelings and needs of its residents. Accounts are misappropriated and fudged, and no one is held accountable for all the lapses. Either these associations are prisoners of political groups or of vested interests. Civic sense and general ethics among residents is lacking. By and large members are busy with their own affairs and have no time and interest in the working of its associations. There are conflicts among residents at different floors in the same building on seepage, cleanliness and obstructing or occupying common portions, leading to police complaints and court cases. Thus general atmosphere and interaction among neighbors is vitiated or apathetic.

It is high time that agencies responsible should look in to the affairs of DDA flats and ensure that they maintain common portions by undertaking timely repairs. It is heard that Govt. is considering greater role for these associations in self/local governance. If that be the case then before providing them with funds it should look into the democratic functioning of associations. It should also check unauthorized alterations and construction. There should be a proper monitoring agency to check the working and accounts of the association and recovery of dues from those who do not pay their subscription at all or not pay in time. Mismanagement in DDA colonies is the order of the day while private colonies developed by colonizers or builders are better governed. I hope some one will take notice of the points raised in this blog and make the concerned wake up.

Submitted by :
Mr. Satyendra Malik
from Janak Puri DDA Flats

2 comments:

  1. Excellent.This gives moral support to me. Above equally applies to plotted societies. In our Madhuvan new delhi 110092, MCD has admitted 27 encroachments on public land. Ours is a colony developed by IAS,Supreme Court,high court, and sessission court judges, top class police officers, engineers and doctors. I am ashamed to admit that our society has encroached upon public land(service road) and not removing it. MCD has admitted this but say ACTION...DDA
    What law abiding residents/citizens of delhi should do.
    I believe we must identify ONE PROBLEM and work to solve it.

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  2. RWAs will get moral as well as legal support from the recent decision of hon’ble court which said, “Being an occupier of flat, the person is bound by the terms and conditions of the RWA and he is also bound to pay the monthly subscription as he is being benefited by the welfare activities which are carried out by the association," Court has also mentioned that the activities performed by the RWAs are for the benefit of the residents and in case RWA fees are not paid, they (RWAs) will not able to continue such activities.
    Now the question where some dominant persons occupying positions of RWA and conducting their affairs ignoring general feeling & needs of the residents, residents should come forward and may take help of court, if required, so that proper elections, audit of accounts is ascertained by RWA body.
    It is also a proven fact that bed elements unite faster than the good people, although there tenure of unity may be very less & temporary. In any case, need is that good people must continue their best efforts, although it is very difficult, for betterment of the societies.

    In some other cases, where RWAs are performing well, people are not coming forward to serve the society. They wish that RWA should continue its efforts, but do not want to
    Spare their time or efforts. Even elected Executive body members wish to enjoy their lives & burden the entire load on some active workers.

    M.K.Pandey
    General Secretary
    Punjabi Bagh Enclave Awas Vikas Samiti
    DDA MIG Flats, Madipur
    New Delhi-110063

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