The TCP Minister, Vijai Sardessai has proposed to have CCTV cameras installation compulsory for Housing Societies in Goa. He has also proposed that security guards should be made compulsory. Before passing such rules certain facts should be studied and taken into consideration and not burden the already burdened small societies financially. In many of the societies there are some members who do not co-operate in the maintenance or infrastructure repairs, painting etc. Some members do not pay the annual maintenance amount inspite of several reminders, notices and best efforts of members. Only a few very dedicated members give their dues, time and energy for the betterment of the societies. There seems to be no legal recourse to tackle these errant members.
We have our own society experience of running to Panjim every now and then to the Tribunal for recovery proceedings. The most sorry state of affairs was at the Tribunal, every time a fresh date was given to attend the same. This recovery proceedings went for years causing trauma and loss by way of transport, legal fees, not to mention the amount of energy and loss of manpower hours. Is this exercise worthwhile we are left to wonder. Such is the state of affairs in India, that the honest person is made to suffer and the dishonest has the last laugh.(Ease of doing business?)
The Government should first draft stringent rules with legal recourse, so that these errant black sheep do not go scot free.
The next point is a guard who takes nothing less than Rs 20000 or Rs 30000 per month. Can a small society which collects an amount of say Rs 5000 to Rs 6000 per member per annum with great difficulty afford to pay a huge amount to have a guard for 12 months. In such a case the members will have to sell their flats to pay the guards.
In some cases the owners of land have died and the numerous heirs of the land do not co-operate with the societies. The Government should amend the Societies Act or the Land Act and make it mandatory for the contractors to transfer the land to the societies within a reasonable time failing which the contractors should be penalised.
