Life went dark, literally, for thousands of residents of Supertech Ecociti in Sector 137, Noida, after the builder allegedly cut off the electricity supply of the society on Wednesday.
According to the residents of the society, the disruption began after the main power supply was affected due to weather conditions, but the backup system also failed as the builder allegedly didn’t credit the amount collected for emergency diesel generator recharge into their accounts.
The residents claimed that the situation has been worsening over the past few weeks after the recent National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) order, which directed that maintenance and day-to-day operations be handed over to the registered Apartment Owners’ Association (AOA).
Vishnu Saini, a resident, said that the UPPCL supply was cut due to thunder. However, the society went dark despite having its own emergency diesel generator power supply system, as the builder didn’t credit DG recharge into the accounts of residents.
“Supartech hasn’t credited the DG amount to the residents’ account…They collected DG recharge money, but the money didn’t reflect in their accounts, and now they are without electricity,” he said.
Describing the issue, Saini said that the society had been managed by the builder for nearly a decade but is now under insolvency proceedings. Following the tribunal orders, handover of maintenance and day to day affair has been ordered from March 23; however, the builder is shying away from giving full control to AOA. “Basic services are suffering, garbage is not being picked up regularly, and there are not enough security guards.”
He further stated that when the residents approached the builder, they said that since the AOA is collecting the money, it’s their responsibility. However, AOA has not yet been given full control.
“Maintenance was supposed to be handed over to the AOA following tribunal orders. However, the builder has not fully transferred control yet. Because of this, residents are unclear about whom to pay, and funds are getting split,” he added.
Another resident, Gaurav, alleged that the builder has cut off the electricity, leaving households without electricity for hours. “There is an ongoing conflict between the builder and the AOA. Residents are facing the consequences. There was no power in the flats, and no one from the builder’s side was available to address the issue,” he said.
He further added that this is the third instance in a week when electricity was disrupted. “This has happened multiple times in the past week. We approached the police, but even they are helpless are builder is not taking their calls,” he added.
Last month, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) had directed that maintenance and day-to-day operations in Supertech Ecociti and one other society be handed over to registered AOAs within 30 days of the order.