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Express Tribune
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Allottees protest CDA's 'unfulfilled' promises
People attend a rally in support of federal workers outside the 26 Federal Plaza, a federal office building in New York City, U.S., March 25, 2025. PHOTO:REUTERS Affected members of the Engineers Housing Scheme in Sector D-16/17 staged a strong protest outside the Capital Development Authority (CDA)'s head office on Thursday, demanding immediate resolution of their long-standing grievances. The protesters issued a one-month ultimatum to the CDA, warning that if their concerns are not addressed within this period, they will return with even more intense demonstrations. The protestors demanded immediate takeover of Sector D-16/17 by CDA in line with the NOC, initiation of development work in the sector, handing over of fully developed plots to rightful allottees, freezing of assets of the scheme's developer, Arif Sheikh, followed by legal proceedings, urgent intervention by the prime minister, interior minister, CDA chairman, NAB chairman, federal ombudsman, and other relevant authorities to ensure justice is delivered. Following Thursday's protest, on the special instructions of the CDA chairman, a representative delegation of the affected members was invited for negotiations. The CDA was represented by the Member Planning, Director General of Housing Societies, and Director of Housing Societies, while the protestors were represented by Shakeel Nazir, Shaukat Iqbal, and Syed Khalid Mahmood. They briefed CDA officials in detail on their 34-year-long struggle, ongoing investments, and the persistent delays in project execution. CDA officials assured the delegation of prompt action, stating that concrete progress would be made in the coming days. Later, CDA Housing Society Director Ejaz Sheikh came out to speak directly with the rest of the protesters, assuring them that final action on the issue would be taken within one week. However, the affected members made it clear that similar promises had been made in the past, none of which had materialised. Therefore, they granted the CDA a final one-month deadline, after which any verbal assurances would no longer be accepted, and a renewed, stronger protest would be launched at the same location. During the protest, the demonstrators were of the view that for the past 34 years, members of the scheme have been knocking on the doors of the CDA, the federal ombudsman, NAB, the presidency, and other institutions in pursuit of justice but without any meaningful progress.
Hindustan Times
22-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
5 key highlights of Maharashtra's proposed housing society rules: 12% interest cap, redevelopment loans and more
The Maharashtra government plans to introduce revised rules for cooperative housing societies, which aim to simplify regulations and reduce bureaucratic involvement. The Maharashtra government plans to introduce revised rules for cooperative housing societies, which aim to simplify regulations and reduce bureaucratic involvement. (Picture for representational purposes only)(Mehul R Thakkar/HT) According to a report by Hindustan Times, the draft proposals include measures such as reducing interest on members' dues, enabling societies to raise redevelopment loans by linking them to land value, and revising maintenance fee structures. Here are five key highlights from the draft rules for Cooperative Housing Societies: 1) Lower interest on dues Maharashtra's draft rules propose reducing the interest on members' outstanding dues from 21% to 12%, easing residents' financial burden. 2) Easing redevelopment financing According to the draft, co-operative housing societies may be allowed to raise loans up to 10 times the land cost for redevelopment, supporting self-redevelopment or improved negotiations with builders. Also Read: Maharashtra approves new housing policy after nearly two decades: 5 key highlights 3) Modernising meeting protocols The draft proposes that annual general meetings (AGM) may incorporate virtual participation, with a quorum set at two-thirds attendance or 20 members (whichever is lower). Decisions require a simple majority (51%), and virtual meetings must be video-recorded if they are for redevelopment. 4) Empowering heirs/nominees The draft proposes introducing a new category called 'provisional members,' allowing nominees to exercise voting rights after a member's death, even before the ownership is formally transferred. Also Read: Mumbai Real Estate: Developers waive floor-rise premiums to attract buyers amid surging inventory 5) Standardise charge collection and funds According to the Maharashtra government's draft, common service charges will be equally divided among all flats, while water charges will be calculated based on the number of taps. The draft also mandates annual contributions to include a sinking fund of at least 0.25% and a repair and maintenance fund of 0.75% of the building's construction cost. Also Read: Dharavi Redevelopment: Maharashtra govt approves stamp duty concessions for Special Purpose Vehicle 'We will finalise the rules by incorporating the suggestions and objections in eight days, after which the draft will go to the principal secretary of the cooperation department. Once the rules are vetted by the law and the judiciary department, they will be notified. Many clauses, such as charges of sinking repair funds, were in the bylaws, but by bringing them into the rules, we have given them legal sanctity. Once the rules are finalised, we will reframe the bylaws to simplify them," Kiran Sonawane, deputy registrar of Maharashtra, told the Hindustan Times newspaper.
