Society docked for barring dogs on lift
Six years after Allwyn D’Souza, a resident of Mahim was asked to pay Rs 1,000 per month if he wanted his dogs to use the society lift, the state consumer disputes redressal commission said the society members had erred in charging D’Souza without passing a resolution in the society’s general body meeting.
Marinagar Colony, the society where he lives, has also been ordered to pay D’Souza Rs 5000 as litigation cost.
“The general body of a society can levy a charge only by passing an appropriate resolution,” said the panel headed president R C Chavan and member Dhanraj Khamatkar.
Allwyn (62) and his wife occupy two flats on the 10th floor for the past 12 years and have two dogs. “The others who own dogs live on lower floors and can manage to take them by stairs. How are we supposed to do that? And, we figured the society hadn’t actually passed a resolution and was unfairly charging us,” he said.
Marinagar Colony, the society where he lives, has also been ordered to pay D’Souza Rs 5000 as litigation cost.
“The general body of a society can levy a charge only by passing an appropriate resolution,” said the panel headed president R C Chavan and member Dhanraj Khamatkar.
According to the complaint filed through lawyer Uday Wavikar, almost 5 months after the society’s general body meeting in August 2008, a letter was sent to members informing them about the charges. The commission observed that according to law, such information has to be passed on within three months.
Allwyn (62) and his wife occupy two flats on the 10th floor for the past 12 years and have two dogs. “The others who own dogs live on lower floors and can manage to take them by stairs. How are we supposed to do that? And, we figured the society hadn’t actually passed a resolution and was unfairly charging us,” he said.
