Housing Society Its Annual Festivals

Category: Miscellaneous
Date 12-05-2025

In a housing society, celebrating annual festivals and functions can foster community bonding, but spending society funds (i.e., maintenance charges) on such events must follow certain legal and ethical norms. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

Authority to Spend Maintenance Charges on Festivals and Functions

Legal Position (Maharashtra Context):
- Under the Model Bye-Laws of co-operative housing societies (adopted widely in Maharashtra), the managing committee has limited discretion to use society funds.
- Bye-Law No. 148 permits use of funds for:
  - Administrative expenses
  - Repairs & maintenance
  - Statutory payments
  - Welfare and cultural activities, provided:
    - Members approve it at a general body meeting
    - A budget is passed, and
    - Expenses are reasonable and non-obligatory
Cultural Fund (Optional):
- Societies can create a separate Cultural or Welfare Fund.
- Contributions can be voluntary or a fixed amount approved by general body.
- Maintenance funds should not be used directly for religious or optional cultural functions without prior approval.

If a Member Refuses to Pay for Festivals/Functions

Cannot Be Forced:
- Members cannot be compelled to pay for festivals/functions if:
  - They disagree on principle (e.g., religion, personal beliefs)
  - There is no resolution by the general body
- Maintenance charges are distinct from voluntary contributions.
No Penalty or Discrimination:
- The society cannot impose a fine, restrict access, or discriminate (e.g., not inviting them to meetings or common activities).
- Doing so may be challenged under cooperative law and even civil law.

What the Society and Managing Committee Should Do

Hold a General Body Meeting:
- Pass a resolution to allocate funds or collect a contribution for festivals.
- Set a budget cap and get majority approval.
Maintain Transparency:
- Publish an event budget and expense report.
- Keep a separate ledger/account for festival expenses.
Collect Voluntary Contributions:
- Clearly mark such contributions as voluntary.
- Offer opt-in participation—do not include in regular bills.
Limit Religious Bias:
- Prefer celebrating secular or multiple-community festivals to maintain inclusivity.
- Avoid using society funds exclusively for religious events unless unanimously agreed.

What the Committee Should Not Do

Do not misuse maintenance funds without a resolution.
Do not coerce members into paying or participating.
Do not deny services or rights to non-contributors.
Do not engage in partisan or religious discrimination.

Conclusion

A society can celebrate festivals and conduct functions, but only with members’ consent and transparency.
If any member objects to paying, the committee must respect their choice and ensure no adverse action is taken.

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Resolution (For General Body Meeting Minutes)

Subject: Approval of Cultural Event and Voluntary Contribution from Members

Resolved That, the General Body of [Name of the Housing Society], having considered the proposal from the Managing Committee, hereby approves the organization of a cultural event/festival ([Name of the event, e.g., Diwali Celebrations, Annual Day]) to be held on [Date(s)].

Further Resolved That, a budget not exceeding ₹[Amount] is sanctioned for the event.

Further Resolved That, the said amount will be collected through voluntary contributions from the society members at ₹[Suggested Contribution] per flat/unit. Payment of this contribution shall be voluntary and not mandatory under society maintenance charges.

Further Resolved That, the Managing Committee is authorized to organize the event, maintain accounts, and ensure transparency in expenditure, and to submit a summary of expenses within 30 days post-event.

Proposed by: [Name]
Seconded by: [Name]

Approved by Majority Vote

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Draft Circular for Member Contributions

[Housing Society Name]
[Society Address]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
Ref: [Circular No.]

Subject: Voluntary Contribution for [Festival/Event Name] – [Date]

Dear Members,

We are pleased to inform you that our Society will be organizing [Name of Festival/Event] on [Date] at [Venue/Common Area], as approved in the General Body Meeting held on [Date].

To make this celebration successful and enjoyable for all residents, the society requests a voluntary contribution of ₹[Amount] per flat/unit. Participation is entirely optional, and no penalties or restrictions will apply for non-contribution.

Contribution Deadline: [Date]
Payment Method: [UPI ID / Society Office / Treasurer Name]

We encourage you to join hands in celebrating this occasion together. For any suggestions or to volunteer, kindly contact [Committee Member Name, Contact No.].

Warm Regards,
Secretary / Chairperson
[Name of the Society]

[Phone Number / Email]

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सामान्य सभेच्या ठरावाचा नमुना – गणेशोत्सवासाठी

विषय: गणेशोत्सव साजरा करण्यास मंजुरी व सभासदांकडून ऐच्छिक वर्गणी संकलन
ठरविण्यात येते की, [संस्थेचे नाव] ह्या गृहसंस्थेच्या सामान्य सभेने कार्यकारिणी समितीने मांडलेल्या प्रस्तावानुसार येणाऱ्या गणेशोत्सव २०२५ निमित्ताने दिनांक [दिनांक] पासून [दिनांक] पर्यंत गणपती स्थापना व उत्सव साजरा करण्यास मान्यता दिली आहे.

अधिक ठरविण्यात येते की, या कार्यक्रमासाठी एकूण ₹[रक्कम] इतक्या खर्चाच्या अंदाजाला मान्यता देण्यात आली असून तो खर्च सभासदांकडून प्रति सदनिका ₹[रक्कम] अशी ऐच्छिक वर्गणी घेऊन केला जाईल.

अधिक ठरविण्यात येते की, ही वर्गणी ऐच्छिक असून कोणी वर्गणी न दिल्यास त्यांना कोणतीही सेवा/सुविधा नाकारली जाणार नाही किंवा कोणतीही दंडात्मक कारवाई केली जाणार नाही.

अधिक ठरविण्यात येते की, कार्यक्रम संपल्यानंतर ३० दिवसांच्या आत खर्चाचा तपशील सादर करण्यात यावा.

ठराव मांडला: [नाव]
द्वारे अनुमोदित: [नाव]
बहुमताने ठराव मंजूर

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सभासदांसाठी गणेशोत्सव वर्गणीबाबत सूचना (परिपत्रक)

[गृहसंस्थेचे नाव]
[पत्ता]
दिनांक: [dd/mm/yyyy]
परिपत्रक क्र.: [क्रमांक]

विषय: गणेशोत्सव २०२५ निमित्त ऐच्छिक वर्गणी – [दिनांक]

आदरणीय सभासद,

आपल्या [गृहसंस्थेचे नाव] तर्फे यंदाचा गणेशोत्सव दिनांक [स्थापनेची तारीख] पासून [विसर्जन तारीख] पर्यंत मोठ्या उत्साहात साजरा करण्यात येणार आहे. सदर कार्यक्रमास मागील सामान्य सभेमध्ये मान्यता मिळालेली आहे.

या कार्यक्रमासाठी एकूण ₹[रक्कम] खर्च अपेक्षित असून, प्रत्येक सदनिकेकडून ₹[प्रस्तावित रक्कम] इतकी ऐच्छिक वर्गणी मागवण्यात येत आहे.

वर्गणी भरण्याची अंतिम तारीख: [तारीख]
भरणा करण्याची पद्धत: [UPI / कार्यालयात / कार्यकारिणी सदस्य]

वर्गणी देणे हे ऐच्छिक असून न दिल्यास कोणतीही सेवा नाकारणे अथवा भेदभाव केला जाणार नाही.

सर्व सभासदांनी या सामूहिक उत्सवात सहभागी होऊन कार्यक्रम यशस्वी करण्यासाठी सहकार्य करावे, ही विनंती.

कृपया स्वयंसेवक म्हणून सहभागी होण्यासाठी खालील संपर्कावर कळवा:
[नाव], संपर्क: [मोबाईल क्रमांक]

आपला विश्वासू,
[सचिव/अध्यक्षाचे नाव]
[गृहसंस्थेचे नाव] ================================================================================

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Last updated: 12/05/2025

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Housing Society Its Annual Festivals