Rights of associate members in a cooperative housing society have always been an issue of concern. A recent amendment in the Cooperative Societies Act has become a matter of debate among housing activists and legal brains, due to objections to the voting rights given in it to associate members who otherwise have no right over property. As instances of senior citizens’ property rights being misused by associate members have come to light in recent years, they are calling for state government intervention to look into grey areas.

Advocate Shreeprasad Parab, expert director, State Housing Federation said, “The concept of associate member in housing societies was introduced for administration of flats belonging to members who are not able to participate in the affairs of the society due to their illness, old age, stay abroad, etc. Appointing an associate member to participate in the General Body Meeting would safeguard the member from being classified as Non-Active Member. After March 2019, a new chapter (new Section 154B) was inserted in the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act, 1960, which has taken away the concept of active and non-active members for housing societies.”