OUR FIGHT is for OUR SURVIVAL. We are sick and tired of being moved from pillar to post by the Builders M/s. Raojee Constructions and M/s. Shreyas Shelters for their selfish gains. We are denied basic facilities such as water, sanitation, security amongst many. By their acts, and attitude of neglect, they are thretaining our life and right to live.
Yesterday noted consumer rights activists Ms. Seema Bhakare and Mr Shrikant Joshi were at their bests. The question that many of us asked ourselves, where does this frail woman of 65 years (Ms. Seema Bhakare) gets the courage and energy to take on the mights of builders in this city. She spoke at length and unfolded rights of the consumers. So did Shrikant Joshi.
Those who attended the session were not only from Palladium Grand, but from near by residential complexes. What appears that there are unlimited security and potential inbuilt in the consumer acts. But most of the times victims have a fears of different types. It is fear that hold us back, and not the processes and time required.
Both Seema and Shrikant emphasised the fact that as long as we remain silent, we are are contributing to the crime, only difference is we are inactive in combating crime, but we are active in being victims of the crime.
If a lady at 65 can fight fearlessly, why cant we? It is time to come out of our shells. It is time to be real human being who act without fear and favor.
We appeal and welcome to the residents and office bearers of the residential complexes in Dhanori area to join us in understanding the rights of the flat owners.
It is important that each of the flat owner understand his/her rights. Ms. Seema Bhakre and Mr. Shrikant Joshi has long standing experience in fighting the cases in consumer courts on behalf of the flat owners.
Help Palladium Grand
helppalladiumgrand.blogspot.com
helppalladiumgrand@gmail.com
It seems that builder(s) have acquired a skills of being the magicians. At least M/s. Raojee Constructions and M/s. Shreyas Shelters have graduated with flying colors in their magical skills. They can make water to disappear, and that too without anyone even having a clue about it.
On Monday 5 January 2015, the staff from the water supply department of the Pune Municipal Corporation showed to our representative 3 pipelines of 1" each sanctioned exclusively for the Palladium Grand. They showed us that water is indeed flowing through these pipelines [see picture below].
So one thing is clear that water is indeed been supplied by the PMC for the residents of the Palladium Grand. And rightfully so, PMC is also collecting water tax from the residents. However, it is also true that water is not reaching to our only storage tanks, and not in our kitchen. So, where is water disappearing?
Isn't that the magical trip which builder(s) of the Palladium Grand has mastered? What an awefully inspiring builder(s)! God bless these builder(s) who have guts to cheat the authorities, residents and nation at large. Isn't this theft of water just similar to the 2G and Coal scam?
Will nation rise up to fight these autrocities by the builder(s) and promoter(s)? If we don't rise up now, we as a country will be imprisioned by the home grown regime called "builder raj"!
By the evening of Saturday (January 3, 2015) our hopes to have constructive and productive dialog were crushed to death. Builder(s)/Promoter(s) backed out. We felt extremely let down. But, there is a saying "when all door closes, new one opens". One of our colleague came to know that Mr. Jagdish Mulik, Member of the Legislative Assembly of the area will be visiting near by residential complexes on Sunday, 4th January 2015. We decided not to let go this opportunity. We made frantic calls to Mr. Mulik's office, sent him a what's app message, contacted the chairman's and secretary of the residential complexes where he was to visit next day. Late in the evening, we got clarity about Mr. Mulik's program.
Sunday morning, we all the flat owners gathered at Amphitheater. When we received the news that Mr. Mulik will be arriving at Solitare, a residential complex which is 300-400 mts away from Palladium Grand. All of us went their in a peaceful protest march. When Mr. Mulik arrived at Solitare we all requested him to visit our complex. Mr. Mulik was gracious enough and sensitive to accept our last minute request. We then marched back to Palladium Grand and waited for another hour before Mr. Mulik arrived at Palladium Grand.
One of our colleague gave a shrot presentation of our problems to Mr. Jagdish Mulik. Other joined him and explained the terrorising atmosphere builder(s), especially Mr. Suresh Tingre has created. Ladies spoke about water issues, thefts to their households. We explained to Mr. Mulik of politicians-builders-civil servants nexus. We told him that we dont have an environmental clearance to the complex [see excerpt version below]
Palladium Grand flat owners interacted with Mr. Jagdish Mulik, MLA (excerpt version).
Mr. Mulik gave patient hearing to all that we had to say. He assured to the residents about their saftey and social harmony. He emphasised that there will be no need to be frightened and worried. "This is not 'moglai' or 'british raj'; this is a democratic regime of the Government of India. Hence, no one should be afraid to raise their questions", he added.
He said he will personally intervene and arrange for a meeting with the builder(s). If the issues are not sorted out amicably, then flat owners should not hesitate to take the legal routes. He even made an attempt to call the builders. Builder who was watchin the whole drama from his 7th floor apartment in the same complex, chose to switched off his phone. [full length unedited video's are appended below].
After 45 minutes long interaction with Mr. Mulik, we felt that he is sensitive, receptive to citizens problems and at least has a heart and patience to listen to them. It needs to be seen, how much his assurances fructify, and the flat owners gets their dues.
We know our fight and struggle is a long one, and many attempts will be made to scuttle our fight. However, we have certainly attracted the attention of all nearby complexes. Many chairman's and secretary's are speaking to us and asking as to what they should do, in case their complex too does not have an environmental clearnaces and other mandatory permission? Silver lining in all this struggle is that the sleeping residnetial complexes are slowly waking up.
It seems like what we bagan as our need is turning into a citizens movement. That is certainly a new ray of hope!
Help Palladium Grand
helppalladiumgrand@gmail.com
helppalladiumgrand.blogspot.com
THIS POST HAS BEEN UPDATED AT 2330 HRS on 3rd January 2015, as we received further inputs from the Builder(s)/Promotor(s) which we felt deserved to be updated in this same post as they will bring more clarity and prove the points that Builder(s) / Prmotor(s) are making every possible efforts to prevent flat owners from claiming their rights, and previlages.
Yesterday morning some of us attended the "Parivartan Samvad" organised by the Pune Police on the occassion of its raising day. Gardian Minister Mr. Girish Bapat and noted film actor and social activist Nana Patekar emphasised that citizens should not keep quite on attempts to silence their voice. So we were enthused and encouraged to take our fight towards logical conclusion. A step forward:
As we were returning back, one of our residents send a what's app with a photo of the notice that builder has put up on our notice boards (see below to the right). His one liner letter asks (almost instructed) us (the flat owners to attend the meeting on Sunday, 4 January 2015 at 11.00 a.m. to discuss the Palladium Grand issues.
Snapshot of letter from Builder(s) [extreme right], and our response [extreme left and middle] displayed on our notice boards.
In the evening, we the flat owners gathered and discussed how to respond to this one line instructions from the Builder(s). While we were happy that Builder(s) at least asked us to come for the meeting, we are apprehensive of his motives. We have reason to be doubtful, because in the past they (especially Mr. Suresh Tingre) held meetings, agreed to do all the pending tasks, but did not give any written assurance and never did anything to comply with his responsibilities.
Therefore, we decided to write him a letter asking to hold meeting by meeting basic criteria - such as open meeting, audio & video recordings, minutes of the meeting together with signatures of the builder(s), and timelines to complete the incomplete facilities/services. [See pictures below].
Flat owners response to builder(s) one line instructions to attend meeting on 4 June 2015.
Many steps backward:
This morning, i.e. 3rd January 2015 we drafted the response and finalised. Here is what happened once our letter was ready.
We displayed our response letter (along side builder(s) notice) on each notice board within the Palladium Grand at 0945 hrs.
Assistant (who help us for overseeing maintenance) accompained with the guard went to builder(s) office (Mr. Suresh Tingre's office, i.e. Raojee Constructions Pvt. Ltd.) to hand deliver the letter. His staff refused to accept our letter at around 10 a.m.
We then sent the letter through special courier to make second attempt to deliver the letter. Our courier reached at builder(s) office at 1055 hrs. He was made to move from one desk to another. However, this time letter was accepted and due acknowledgement was provided by Mr. Vaibhav in Mr. Suresh Tingre's office. This was achieved by 1110 hrs.
Our special courier then proceeded to deliver second copy to Mr. Sandeep Kolhatkar at his office near Chaturshring, Pune.
Reluctance of the builder(s)/Promotor(s) in accepting the letter was two spets backward - if not miles of back tracking!
But the real drama was yet to be unfolded. Here is how the drama unfolded later in the evening.
At 1600 hrs one of the employee from the builder, Shri. Suresh Tingre's office put up another letter on the notice board of each building.
This letter essentialy communicated that builder(s) are unwilling to come forward and talk to the flat (or Unit, as the communication refers) owners. [See below]
Response received from the builder(s), essentially communicating that they will speak on thier own motion and that flat owners have no right for form any formal or informal group or make suggestions. Isn't that unilateral?
What's does this mean?
When we wrote communication yesterday, our experiences in the past predicted the moves of the builder(s)/promotor(s) especially Mr. Suresh Tingre. These kind of responses are clearly delaying tactics to divert our attention away from fundamental issues that we are raising. These includes:
1. Our rights to basic and essential services such as water, santitation, garbage disposal.
2. Legal compliances, permissions, society formation, conveyance deeds etc.
3. Our rights to other services and amenities as promised in sales deeds, and in the promotional brouchers, etc.
And, there are many others......... List is simply endless........
Also the language of letter is clearly an attempt to create confusion amongst the flat owners.
However, wer are united and no attempt can take our attention away from fighting for our fundamental rights. Because we are not going to loose the hopes. Because we have seen the logical end of our struggle, and that is total victory and end to builder raj, at least in our case.
We will keep you posted as new developments will take shape. We are posting these developments; because we want to inspire all those complexes who are victims to builder(s)/promotor(s) malpractices and pressure tactics.
Other developments:
Sub Inspector (PSI) of the Dhanori Police station called the residents to meet him. He has received a forward copy the complaint filed on last Sunday from the Police Commissioner's office. Eight of us then visited the Police station at 1300 hrs. In an hour long discussion, we explained our problems and issues being faced by the flat owners and residents. He has promised us for expedited investigation.
Mr. Rajendra Gaikwad from the Water Supply Department of the PMC visited the Palladium Grand to assess the PMC water supply situations.
For past seven years, residents of the Palladium Grand Complex, Dhanori are living under variety of threats. Thier misery began with the dictatorial attitudes of the builder(s), especially Mr. Suresh Tingre who used high handedness and arm twisting practices to collect money from the residents. Even after spending lakhs of rupees of hard earned money as investments, and abnormal maintenance changes, residents were compelled to beg for facilities, even the basic essential commodity called "water".
When the residents mustered courage and raise voice against these malpractices, builder(s), especially Mr. Suresh Tingre, his associate Mr. Shambhu Singh manhandled some of the residents. They abused our women, and even threatened them.
We are constantly living under the threat. Enough is enough now, we will claim our rights under any circumstances.
In addition to these threats from builders - we are constantly under threat of theft. Our senior citizens are constantly exposed to all kinds of vulnerabilities. There is no digital surveillance system. Fencing is not as per the standards recommended. Our children are not safe. When our children are playing downstairs, they are under threat of being hurt - thanks to no facilities at all.
However, now we are determined to get things right once for all. Because, we know for sure - if we dont rise now, we will never get what we truely deserve.
Last night we did celebrate the new year, but we also bid bye bye to our own habit of being silent and succumb to the pressures of builder(s), especially Mr. Suresh Tingre, and barbaric and in human silence of Mr. Sadeep Kolhatkar.
Last week was full of activities - dharna, complaints to the police. Amidst all of these hectic activities we received another shocking news through two of the experts and well known activist, namely Mr. Ravi Karandeekar (see his blog) and Mr. Vijay Kumbhar (see his blog).
And the news is that "builder(s) have not received the manadatory environmental clearances before commissioning the project". Isn't that shocking and surprising! But they did receive the completion certificates. How funny! Doesn't that smell of nexus between builder(s), state government officials and authorities of the Pune Municipal Corporation? No wonder why these authorities are still remianing silent and rather sleeping? Becuase their own hands are dirty?
"Save Our Soul" is the appeal that we the residents of the Palladium Grand are making to the goverments and the compliance authorities. Is someone listening?
Can we put stop to these malpractices? We are determined to do so, because we have not only invested money, but we have put our into these aparments. These are not just shelters for us, but they are home for us - where our soul resides.
Will someone in the Maharashtra Government and also within the PMC will wake up and help us to save our soul? Or will they corraborate with the builder(s) and ensure that we are cremeated alive and burried while being able to walk and breath?
