Letter · Deputy Registrar, K-West Ward, Mumbai · 14.10.2019
Societies must accept maintenance paid online — and issue a receipt
A Deputy Registrar’s letter of 14 October 2019 to a Mumbai housing society directed it to accept maintenance paid by NEFT, issue receipts, and stop penalising members who pay online.
Key points
- A member complained that the society refused maintenance paid by NEFT and charged a penalty to members who paid digitally.
- The Deputy Registrar directed the society to accept maintenance paid into its account by NEFT, to issue a receipt for it, and not to levy any penalty on members who pay online.
- It is an order in one society’s case, not a general circular, but it reflects the Registrar’s approach.
What the letter says
A member of a co-operative housing society in Andheri (West), Mumbai complained to the Deputy Registrar on 16.09.2019 that the society was not accepting monthly bills paid digitally (by NEFT), and was levying penalties on members who paid that way.
The Deputy Registrar informed the society that it must accept monthly bills paid by members into the society’s account by NEFT, give the complainant a receipt for the amount paid, and not levy any penalty on members who pay online. The society was told to implement these directions.
What it means in practice
Payment into the society’s bank account by NEFT or a similar method is a valid payment of maintenance. The society should credit it, issue a receipt in the usual way, and cannot treat online payment as a default or charge extra for it. A member facing such a refusal can write to the society and, if needed, complain to the Registrar with proof of the transfer.
Because this letter was issued in one society’s case, it is persuasive rather than binding on other societies; it is a useful reference when raising the issue.
One-page letter in Marathi. The names of the society and the complainant appear in the document; this summary leaves them out. This page summarises the document for general information; it is not a translation and not legal advice. Read the document itself for its exact terms, and check whether it has since been amended or superseded.
Have a question about your society?
Write to the office with a brief description of the matter. Meetings are by prior appointment.