Green Acres CHS Managing Committee Disqualified For 5 Years Over Major Non-Compliance
Dy Registrar Acts After Series Of Irregularities; Residents Allege Misuse Of Funds, Ignored Bye-Laws
The Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies (Andheri Division) has disqualified the entire eight-member managing committee of Green Acres Cooperative Housing Society Ltd, Andheri East for a period of five years under Section 78(A) of the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies (MCS) Act, 1960.
The order follows a series of grave non-compliances and financial irregularities, brought to light by resident and complainant Alex Noronha. The disqualification marks one of the more stringent actions taken against a Mumbai housing society in recent months.
According to the official order, the managing committee failed to:
- Conduct mandatory monthly management meetings as per the society bye-laws
- Obtain general body approval for expenses exceeding ₹1 lakh
- Avoid misappropriation of funds and ensure transparency in expenditure
- Pay government TDS dues and settle vendor bills on time, resulting in repeated penalty payments
- Properly distribute mobile tower rental income to members under Section 79(A) guidelines
- Complete the mandatory structural audit
- Recover over ₹40 lakh in outstanding dues from defaulting members
- Pay BMC property tax arrears exceeding ₹88 lakh
The Deputy Registrar’s investigation found multiple violations of the MCS Act, MCS Rules, and several Government Circulars, concluding that the committee’s actions and omissions amounted to “gross mismanagement and breach of fiduciary duty”.
The order invokes Section 78(A), which allows for disqualification of managing committee members found guilty of persistent default or negligence in performing statutory duties. The committee members are barred from holding any office in a cooperative society for the next five years.
Complainant Alex Noronha, a long-time resident, alleged that repeated reminders and written complaints were ignored by the committee, forcing him to escalate the matter to the Deputy Registrar. “The residents’ funds were mishandled, and decisions were taken without transparency or due approval,” he stated.
The Registrar’s order also directs the appointment of an authorized administrator to oversee the society’s affairs until a new committee is elected. The administrator is tasked with conducting pending audits, clearing government dues, and restoring proper governance standards.
The case is a stark reminder of the growing number of housing societies facing regulatory action for non-compliance, mismanagement, and violation of cooperative norms in Mumbai’s suburban zones.
