The redressal forum ordered the builder to stop deducting the common area maintenance charge from electricity consumption unit counting pre-paid meter.
Residents of Eco Village-2, a high rise residential society in Sector 16 B, Greater Noida, gave mixed reactions on an order by consumer grievance redressal forum, which stated that the practice of deducting common area maintenance (CAM) charge from pre-paid electricity meter by the developer is unfair.
According to a media report, the redressal forum ordered the builder to stop deducting the amount from electricity consumption unit counting pre-paid meter. The court also instructed that tariff could not be charged in excess, except what has been fixed by power distribution company plus five per cent extra of the tariff.
The order was issued against Supertech, the realty company which developed the residential society Eco Village-2, in Greater Noida.
Amit Kumar, a resident of the society told that it is a complex issue and can't be judged easily. He said that the present process is in effect because there are many residents who don't want to pay CAM.
“If the amount is not deducted from the pre-paid meter, it will be vary hard for the builder to collect the same from those residents. He said that this can amicably be solved if residents and builder ensure timely payment of CAM,” said Kumar.
Anupam Mishra, another resident of the society told that the practice of deducting amount from pre-paid meter is not fair as the builder levy several charges without any prior intimation to residents.
“Another reason is that builder deducts the amount irrespective of whether the residents are getting services or not. They come to know about it only when builder deducts the amount. But at the same time, residents are also not giving the cheques of 12 months in advance for the service they get throughout the year,” he said.
The order was issued after Narendra Pol, a resident of Eco Village-2, moved to court alleging that the developer of the society is deducting CAM from the pre-paid meter which is recharged for supply of uninterrupted power. He also alleged that on top of the deduction, the builder also collect tariffs exorbitantly.
The court also instructed the Noida Power Company Limited (NPCL), the company which supply electricity in the city, that it has to ensure that the developer adhere to the order. It also sought compliance report from the company for a period of two months.
When City Spidey spoke to Varun Verma, Senior Executive (commercial) with NPCL, he told that the company's legal cell hasn't received a copy of the order till date. He said that if the company receives copy even from the complainant, action will be taken accordingly.
