From Daulat Baugh To Satguru Shlok

Every society member has received the ‘Feasibility report of Redevelopment Work’ which is based on information stipulated in development control regulations of 1991. It contains the existing facts of the location of the building, area survey summary, and the development potential giving the all the details of each apartment. The development report of the redevelopment work has been prepared by ‘Cove” architect, Soumitra Shende, for various builders who would be interested in undertaking the proposed re-development project, jotting down the points to be considered while submitting their tenders. More details will be discussed during the meeting.

Before the ball starts rolling the members of the society will be asked to sign an agreement. The agreement should include, besides other suggestions of the architect, the following: The project should be completed within two years and under exceptional circumstances not exceeding three years The developer to give a Bank Guarantee of 20% of the cost of the development project

Early morning I received the circular from society announcing the meeting on Friday 23rd to discuss the redevelopment program. The managing committee has been meeting the builder, discussing the plan, trying to get the best deal for the members. They are thinking of appointing an advocate who will guide every member to safeguard their interest. Every word in the document has a hidden meaning which cannot be seen by unsuspecting member, with advocate’s help we will know the right laws before signing on a dotted line. Then society will also appoint a structural engineer who will supervise over the construction and make sure that the promised faculties are delivered so that there is no compromise on the quality of the building. We have selected Satguru who assured us quality or else there were many builders with better offers, so naturally we would want the best and with our own structural engineer and advocate, we safeguard that interest. There is money in the society which w...

Today we had general body meeting which was attended by sixteen members only. Its funny how members fail to show up for meetings, I have noticed that generally people attend society meeting only if they have a problem which they need to address, otherwise they are happy to ask their neighbors for updates. I don't like to miss the society meetings unless I am travelling, for me it is a social responsibility. Being a member of a society, we have right to information, and right to express our opinion such that the living in the society becomes a pleasant experience. Plus it gives us chance to get to know the members and drop off the veil of alien-like feelings. Anyways, the meeting started twenty minutes late, (waiting for late comers) and all the points on the agenda were discussed one by one.  The nomination forms were available in the society office, few days prior to the meeting, whereby any member desiring to be the part of the committee could send in their applicat...

It is important to be aware of what is happening around us. we must pay attention to every detail and every discussion that is to take place with the builder. Right now we are the owners of our house, but during redevelopment we have to safeguard our interest. Therefore it is imperative that society members should tread cautiously and firmly in matters of drafting part of the redevelopment agreement (RDA), especially since after signing such an agreement, residents have to vacate the premises and hardly have any control over the project.