PARWA Income thru legitimate Means!

Section 10 of PARWA Bye-laws deals with sources of income and utilization of funds. As per this bye-law:

a)      Funds may be raised by PARWA by contribution and donation by the apartment owners/residents/other sources.

b)      From common profits which shall form the nucleus of reserve funds.

c)      Source of income shall be the admission fee, subscription, penalties realized and donations.

Collection of parking fee is illegal both in view of above provisions and laws laid down by MCD as informed under RTI Act. I have brought MCD reply to the notice of PARWA EC and also in the emergent-extended meeting of EC on 17.09.2011. I have informed that when collection of parking fee is associated with threats that parking slot will be allotted to only those members who pay this fee, PARWA wrongly assumes ownership of the slot and this collection becomes extortion which is punishable under law. It was unfortunate that members present in EC meeting were justifying violations of laws and forcing me to join them in these violations. I refused to join them. I strong oppose any violation of any law and am not a part of any decision taken by PARWA GB/EC which results in direct/indirect violation of any law.

I once again reiterate my demands:

a) PAWA EC should immediately stop illegal collection of parking fee.

b) PARWA EC should give an unqualified written apology for calling me a defaulter for not paying the illegal parking fee demanded by PARWA EC.

c) PARWA EC should immediately delete my name from the list of defaulters.

d) Election of present EC should be immediately cancelled as my nomination was illegally rejected as I did not pay the illegal parking fee.

d) PARWA should hold fresh election of PARWA EC.

Similarly collection of fee for advertisements and booking of parks are also illegal as informed by MCD under RTI Act.

I am a senior citizen and have a great respect for law of the land. As a responsible member of PARWA, I still feel that PARWA EC and members present in EC meeting on 17.09.2011 will see the reason and come out of a wrong mindset that there is no harm in violating law of the land as long as it generates income for PARWA. I once again reiterate that if PARWA has to raise funds for its welfare/development schemes then such funds should be raised by legitimate means and not by violating laws. I have thought about it and give following suggestions for raising funds for PARWA without violating any law of the land:

a) PARWA may adopt multi-tier subscription system. Amount of parking fee can be merged in annual subscription for those members who have 2/3/4 or more cars.

b) PARWA may apply for a license from MCD for display of advertisements of product/service suppliers at the gates and boundary walls of the apartments. Under this arrangement, advertisement fee will be shared between PARWA and MCD.

c) PARWA may sign a MOU with MCD for booking of parks for holding functions by PARWA and residents. Under this arrangement, PARWA will get some amount as service fee or commission from MCD.

Above system will be in conformity of the law and PARWA will continue generating excess income for its welfare/development schemes.

My suggestions can be discussed in an emergent EC meeting. PARWA EC can then approach PARWA GB with its recommendations for a final decision.

Let us all make use of this opportunity to create a synergic effect to raise PARWA to greater heights. Let us not be guided by personal ego and vested personal and group interests.

Is PARWA EC superior to PARWA GB?

I have just now received a circular issued by General Secretary and President of PARWA. The circular is dated 26.02.2010 but signed by the President on 27.02.2010. Circular is addressed to the Residents. PARWA has a membership and all residents are not its members as many residents have not paid the subscription. This is a very important issue and following should be immediately decided by PARWA EC and PARWA GB:
a) Who is a bona fide member of PARWA?
b) Should PARWA extend its services to those residents who are not members of PARWA?

Prior to this EC meeting, meeting of Security Sub-committee was held, in which many decisions regarding parking and security were taken. I attended that meeting as an invitee. But till date I have not received its minutes. Many decisions referred to in this circular as decisions of PARWA EC are contrary to the decisions of the sub-committee. All PARWA EC members were present in the sub-committee meeting. They had taken those decisions but when they sit again without invitees then they change those decisions. PARWA EC members have insulted the invitees who have spent their time to provide a helping hand to PARWA EC in providing better services to PARWA members.

PARWA is an Association of residents of Pragati Apartments who as PARWA members have elected some members amongst themselves as their representatives mandated to install various welfare measures. But by doing so PARWA members have not surrendered their right to advise PARWA EC on any welfare measure. PARWA EC members should respect such advice.

As an example - the decision of Security Sub-committee was Rs. 50 per month for second slot. It was further decided that un-allotted slots in Group C will be allotted to PARWA members residing in Group C flats. Remaining slots will be allotted to members residing in Group A and B flats through draw of lots. PARWA EC should have informed in the circular the reasons and justification for changing the decision of Security Sub-committee. Moreover by increasing this fee four times, PARWA EC had also changed the decision of PARWA GB, thereby exceeding its brief and acting as a body superior to PARWA GB.

My experience as member of PARWA EC has been very disappointing. PARWA EC is not a team but a group of people working against each other and to serve their own personal agenda. Such a body can not do the expected welfare work for the members of PARWA. There is no discipline, there is no professionalism in working. This indiscipline flows down to security guards, safai-karmcharis and malis. All this has left no alternative before me but to resign from the membership of PARWA EC. It is a sad commentary that PARWA EC has not taken any action to elect/nominate another member from the block in my place.

In few months, PARWA members will be called upon to elect new PARWA EC. Efforts should be initiated to elect such members to PARWA EC who are fair, transparent, professional and have a sense of trusteeship. Younger people should be encouraged to come forward to become members of PARWA EC.

The decision of PARWA EC (increasing fee for second slot from Rs 50 to Rs. 200) to change the decision of PARWA GB should be kept in abeyance. PARWA GB should call the explanation of PARWA EC.

A resident complains about PARWA on parking

A resident aggrieved by no action by PARWA hasmade the following complaint:

"You have taken a very good initiative to allot space for parking of cars of the residents of Pragati Apartments. Kudos to you, but its really unfortunate that none of the so called educated inmates of our apartments have the basic sense to use the space allotted to them ONLY and park their cars in the space vacant near their flat when they come back from office / elsewhere.

I had already mailed you that though the space for car park has been allotted to everyone for ONE Car, the space that has to be allotted to us [Flat No: 346]has not yet been marked and a couple of weeks back, on a Sunday while we were going out, saw the marking being done for the flats at the main entrance and my son went and told the person who was guiding the marking regarding our space having not been marked and till now, even after nearly 18 days, it is still unmarked and our space is being used by the flat ownder of 347 to park his two wheeler whereas two wheelers have to be parked at the garage provided for every flat.

I request you to kindly take immediate action of marking of the space provided to us for parking of car and take stern action against those who park their cars in others' slots and also park their two wheelers in the space provided for car parking.

I regret to inform you that, Sir, till such time, I will not be paying the maintenance charges of PARWA, which I have never done in the last TEN Years of our stay at Pragati Apartments, but I have no other choice.

So, kindly take necessary action immediately."

Parking YES, Shops NO

Covering of Madipur Drain is in the news. TOI has published a news item on the concern of the residents of Pragati Apartments that no shops should be built on the covered drain. Presiden and Gen Secretary PARWA spoke to TOI.