Now, housing durbars to resolve society conflicts

The Cooperative Department of the state government will now hold “Housing Durbars” across the city to resolve in an informal manner the several complaints filed by members of housing societies.

The Cooperative Department of the state government will now hold “Housing Durbars” across the city to resolve in an informal manner the several complaints filed by members of housing societies.

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The complaints have been pending with the Registrar of Cooperative Societies. The first durbar would happen on October 2 at three locations - Dadar, Ghatkopar and Bandra.

“We will form three-member committees which will arbitrate in matters and try to find an amicable solution,” said Sandeep Deshmukh, Divisional Joint Registrar (Mumbai). While two members of a committee would be housing activists, the third member would be an official from the Cooperative Department. “We will hold these durbars on the first Sunday in every three months,” said Deshmukh.

Each of the venues will have at least seven three-member committees and an approximate 50 cases would be heard at each location. According to Deshmukh, the complainant and the opposite party members would be intimated to be present at the venue.

Welcoming the initiative, noted lawyer Vinod Sampat called it a bold move. "There are 3,000 to 4,000 complaints pending with the authority. Several misunderstandings among flat owners can be sorted out through discussions, which would be held in a free environment in an impartial manner," said Sampat, who heads the Cooperative Societies Residents Users and Welfare Association. "Most frivolous cases can easily be disbursed off and the department would be able to concentrate on serious matters."