Suggestions given by Sahakarsutra to Shri Satish Marathe, Chairman of 9 member Committee to suggest amendments to the MCS Act 1960.

Suggestions given by Sahakarsutra to Shri Satish Marathe, Chairman of 9 member Committee to suggest amendments to the MCS Act 1960.

1) Immediate steps should be taken by the Managing Committees to ensure larger participation of members in the running of the society.

2) Members should be made compulsory to attend the Annual General Meeting or else a fine be levied upon them as decided by the General Body of the society.

3) Managing committees should not have the discretion to allot Parking spaces.Parking should be allotted as per the Development Control Rules (as per the approved building plan) and should be rotated as per decision taken by the General Body. This will ensure that all flat owners get at least one spot.

4) Number of Managing Committee members should be reduced as per the size of a society. As per law amended by the earlier govt, any housing society with 100 or less flats/house owners should have at least 11 members. But this posed a problem because of small-sized housing societies — in the case of Mumbai, Mhada has 27 flats in each of its buildings. The strength should be reduced to to five members.

5) Defaulters : A "defaulter" should be  defined as a member who fails to pay the dues of the society within 3 months from the date of service of bill or notice (whichever is later). The Managing Committee should be authorised to proceed with Section 101 cases after expiry of 3 months. This will help societies recover dues legally. perennial defaulters / fraudulent membership can be terminated with approval of General Body.

6) Any auditor and chartered accountant, other than empanelled by the Registrar of Cooperatives, should be allowed to audit society accounts. This will save societies time and money.

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