Pic: Abhijith N Kolpe
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru Oct 26: The apartment owners association of a luxurious apartment in the city which was in news recently has clarified that the elderly couples living in the apartment have failed to pay maintenance cost for the last six months. The clarification came in after elderly couple which resides in a luxurious apartment in the city, was forced to spend days without water supply and electricity since the last 15 days.
Addressing media here on Friday, October 26, president of the association, Dayanand said, "Shantharam Prabhu and his wife Veena Shantharam have made false allegations against the association by suppressing the true facts with an intention of tarnishing the image of the association.
“The state of affairs of the building was in miserable condition for the last four years on account of series of irregularities, default, and breach of conduct committed by the builder. We were denied of essential installations such as lifts, generators, safety and security. Due to indifferent attitude of the builder towards maintenance of the condominium for the last four years, the quality of living condition has been deteriorating and flat owners were left no option but to take over maintenance of the complex from the builder. Election of board of managers of the association and election of office bearers was held through a legal and transparent manner under the provisions of the law and as per Deed of declaration submitted to the provisions of the Karnataka apartment ownership act 1972 and the same is confirmed by the each member of the association in their respective sale deed at the time of execution and registration of the sale deed.
"The management of the building was handed over to the association by the builder in the month of April 2018 and since then the association is managing the entire affair of the condominium. As per the provisions of deed of declaration and in the resolution passed in the general body meeting, it is decided to collect maintenance charges for managing the affairs of the condominium. It is the liability and responsibility of the association to pay the entire electricity bill aggregating approximately Rs 7 lac per month of the three blocks.
"The couple have refused to pay the maintenance charges for 6 months up to Rs 27,500 which are legally due and payable by them to the association. They are making series of attempts to sabotage and not cooperating in the process of formation of the association. They were advocating through social media that they will not pay maintenance charges to the association. They had intentionally refused to receive the notice of the general body meeting. In addition, they are instigating other apartment owners asking them not to pay the maintenance cost.
“They have not paid the maintenance charges since April 2018. After following due process required as per the provision of deed of declaration/legal process and giving enough opportunities, power supply was disconnected to the aforesaid flat. The action of the association is not illegal and according to the provisions of the deed of declaration of the association. As the aforesaid members have not paid the maintenance charges, the association has reserved their right to disconnect the water supply also as per the provisions of deed of declaration,” he said.
Vice president Anitha Prabhu, D S Hegde and others were present.