Residents of Supertech Ecovillage 1 in Greater Noida organise sit-in protest over pending demands
File PhotoNOIDA: Residents of Supertech Ecovillage 1 in Uttar Pradesh’s Greater Noida West have resorted to an indefinite sit-in to protest the lack of basic amenities.
Protestors’ demands include better electrical infrastructure, along with rates at par with Noida Power Company Limited (NPCL) for an increase in per kilowatt power load if required by residents, basement drainage cleaning to avoid flooding during rains, completion of car parking and rationalising high charge for covered parking.
Residents also demand a lift audit, proper water drainage system and STP construction and the implementation of authority policy with regard to pets and stray dogs in the complex.
The protest, which began on April 23 over 10-point demands, has taken a turn for the worse over two additional points in the last couple of days.
Specifically, electricity rates are at par with NPCL for an increase in per kilowatt, and rationalising high charges for covered parking.
While the builder maintains that talks were underway for the other ten demands, the two additional demands were not part of the initial talks and require further inquiry into the financial implications.
“Currently, Supertech is charging Rs 29500/- (including GST) to increase the power of 1 KW, but if we compare it with NPCL, the latter charges only Rs 110/- for a 1 KW power increase. We demand that Supertech charge as per NPCL rate,” said resident, Shailendra Gupta.
However, Nitish Arora, director of Supertech Group handling the Ecovillage 1 complex, told TOI that this is not a rational demand.
“NPCL is able to provide the power increase per KW at Rs 110 because all the electrical infrastructure is available and provided by the authority. Whereas we have to provide the same infrastructure of transformers, back-up etc., on my own account. Still, I sat down with a group of residents in an earlier meeting and have offered to reduce the charge by 40% and made it Rs 15000+GST from Rs 25000+GST earlier,” said Arora.
The second demand, for rationalising covered parking rates, too is contended.
“Residents have demanded that, in order to convert from open parking to covered parking, only Rs 50000/+ GST should be charged, as was the case 3-4 years back. But the builder is charging approximately Rs 5 lakhs,” said Vijay Chauhan, another resident and protestor.
“To offer additional covered parking at Rs 50,000 is not possible. Covered parking is related to the common area maintenance (CAM) part,” Arora contended, adding that they are, nevertheless, willing to offer a 25 per cent discount on the same.
“For both the reductions I had to take the approval of our Supertech board,” he added.
