2 weeks Ago By Nisha Nambiar
1 2 Pune: State govt has proposed to double the housing society registration fees and introduce legal recognition for online meetings in draft rules for amendments to the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Rules , published on April 15. The registration fees for housing societies will increase from Rs2,500 to Rs5,000 under the draft Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Rules, 2025. A significant digital transformation move provides legal recognition to online general body meetings (GBMs) with virtual participation and voting, reflecting post-pandemic operational shifts.
You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune "Whether it is about uniformity of maintenance charges, reducing the interest on late payment of maintenance or online meeting attendance in AGMs (annual general meetings) and filling up casual vacancies without going to the election authorities, the reforms will definitely help all societies in the state," said state cooperation department commissioner Deepak Taware. State govt has invited feedback from all stakeholders through the cooperation department's official portal by May 15. The implementation of the new rules is expected later this year.
The Maharashtra Cooperative Housing Society Act, amended in 2019, did not have accompanying draft rules. The reforms will standardise maintenance structures by mandating uniform service charges per unit, addressing the controversial practice of charging it based on the carpet area. The draft rules propose to reduce maximum interest rate on delayed maintenance dues from 21% to 12% per annum on simple interest, providing relief to those struggling with payment backlogs.
The financial governance has been completely restructured in the draft rules. New requirements for multiple funds, including reserve, sinking, major repairs, education and training, and cultural and welfare funds, have been introduced. The drat rules propose to introduce a formal process for society name reservation under Rule 106 C-2, replacing the previously vague procedures.
It also bats for simplifying the process of filling up casual vacancies in managing committees without approaching the election authorities, further reducing the administrative hurdles. For residents dealing with property transfers, the new rules will address succession issues by allowing transfers based on registered family settlement deeds. This is expected to significantly reduce litigation.
The amendments create a clear process for admitting nominees as provisional members following a member's death. In a move aimed at boosting redevelopment, societies can now borrow up to 10 times the approved value of their land, against the previous limit of 10 times their own funds. For redevelopment projects, the developer selection process must be video-recorded in the presence of at least 51% of the members.
"This reflects a consultative and inclusive approach in the law-making process. Practical concerns of housing societies have been taken into account," said Shreeprasad Parab, expert director at the Maharashtra State Cooperative Housing Federation. "There are many beneficial provisions such as clarity on funds and utilisation, filling up casual vacancies without external interference, making the redevelopment process more transparent, provisions for raising funds for self-redevelopment, clarity on membership categories, provisions pertaining to family arrangement, strengthening provisions on members' education and precise provisions for recovery of dues," he said.
"Overall, the proposed rules are a balanced blend of regulatory clarity, operational flexibility and participatory governance. Their implementation, following public consultation, will undoubtedly foster greater transparency, trust and accountability in Maharashtra's cooperative housing sector," said Parab. FOR GRAPHIC HL: MONEY MATTERS 1.
25 lakh housing societies are there in Maharashtra The draft for the proposed Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Rules was published on April 25 State govt has invited feedback from all stakeholders through the cooperation department's official portal by May 15 Rs5,000 has been proposed as housing society registration fees Its current rate is Rs2,500 The draft proposes to reduce maximum interest rate on delayed maintenance dues from 21% to 12% per annum on simple interest MANDATORY FUNDS Reserve fund Sinking fund Major repairs fund Education & training fund Cultural and welfare fund (for social, cultural, and recreational activities).
