Gurgaon’s Galleria market stares at power, maintenance crisis
The accounts of Galleria condominium association, which looks into the maintenance of the commercial hub, have been sealed.
The Galleria market in DLF Phase-4 may face problems related to power supply and maintenance as banks have sealed the accounts of Galleria condominium association (GCA), which looks into the maintenance of the commercial hub, following the state registrar’s order to quash election of the body held in September.
The situation has left the shop and office owners in the market worried. They say that there are frequent power cuts in the area these days and the stock of diesel for generator sets may last only till Monday. There are five gensets for the market. These gensets are owned and maintained by the association. Even routine expenses cannot be met as the accounts are sealed, shop owners said.
State registrar Wazir Singh on May 12 quashed the GCA election held on September 18 on a petition filed by Galleria occupants Jitesh Sahgal, Neeraj Yadav and Varun Ahuja.
The GCA has accounts with two private banks, which were sealed after the petitioners informed the banks about the registrar’s order. The petitioners contended that since the GCA executive was no more in power it was not authorised to operate the finances.
Former GCA president Atul Mitra on Saturday released a circular, stating that the bank accounts were sealed on Friday. The circular stated that no show-cause notice or intimation was given to the GCA by the registrar before issuing notice for quashing the election.
Mitra said the association has neither received a copy of the order passed by the registrar nor intimation from the banks.
“We are making all possible endeavours to resolve the issue. However, payments for various services like electricity and diesel etc are due. The association has sufficient funds in the bank accounts but on account of non-cooperation by the banks, it is not possible to make any payments,” the circular stated.
Mitra said the situation was normal on Sunday but might worsen from Monday, as electricity bills have to be paid and the stock of diesel for generator sets will last only till Monday. It (sealing of bank accounts) will affect operation of lifts, supply of water, use of generators and routine expenses of the association, he said.
The circular advised the occupants to be prepared for any situation.
The state registrar ordered the Gurgaon district registrar to appoint an adhoc committee of five neutral members and conduct free and fair elections within three months.
“The district registrar has not implemented the order and not appointed the adhoc committee even after a week of the order,” alleged Jitesh Sahgal, one of the petitioners.
Galleria complex, which houses about 500 shops and offices, was ranked the third costliest market in India in a report released by real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield last year.
