Mumbai Housing Society Queries: 'Owners Can Charge EV Using Existing Meter Connection'
I have recently purchased an electric car (EV) and wish to park and charge it in my society. I have requested the society to make arrangements for the charging point in the parking area. The society has not responded even after two months and regular follow-up. What are the requirements for fixing a charging point in society and what am I required to do in this regard? Praneet Dagar, Mulund
In order to enable faster adoption of EVs in India, by ensuring safe, reliable, accessible, and affordable charging infrastructure, the Ministry of Power issued revised guidelines on January 14, 2022. Owners can charge their EV at their residence or office using the existing electric connection. You can charge your EV using the electric connection from the meter allocated to you. Please inform your society of the said guidelines. You may inform the society that you will comply with the safety requirements for laying the cable for charging installation in the society premises in accordance with the safety advisory/SOP issued by the chief electrical inspector, and the safety guidelines for housing societies issued by the central electricity authority for charging installation.
However, concerning the safety aspect, you may calculate the load for charging your EV and make an application to your distribution licensee for extension of load if the same is in addition to what has been sanctioned to you. The home charger normally requires a 230V/15A single-phase plug, which would take a minimum of 15 hours. A charger of 7.5 kW will take less time. Please consult your car dealer/ electric consultant. It is recommended to install a residual current circuit breaker/ earth leakage circuit breaker (RCCB/ELCB) to ensure safety and use an IEC 60309 industrial connector on both ends.
The amount of electricity consumed will be added to the home meter. Alternatively, you may apply for a separate metre connection from your distribution licensee with the permission of your society. Ideally, it is in the interest of the members that the society provides a charging station in the parking area. The Bombay High Court recently observed that installing EV charging stations in housing societies would help reduce air and vehicular pollution, and that an adequate legal framework for this purpose is essential. Citing the judgment, Mumbai Grahak Panchayat has asked the state government to amend the MCS Rules to include a compulsory provision for EV charging stations in housing societies.
What is the maximum amount of penalty that can be levied on a member of a cooperative housing society? Rajkamal Anand, Chembur
The bye-laws allow penalties for members who violate their provisions, including encroachments and other breaches. Under Bye-law 165, the maximum penalty for any non-compliance in a given financial year is Rs 5,000. The managing committee has to issue a show cause notice giving the opportunity for the member to explain his stand. The general body can decrease the amount depending on the response of the member. Bye-law 169 provides for a penalty for encroachment of common spaces.
The use of such common spaces is restricted to the cause for which they are sanctioned. Members cannot occupy common spaces of the society for his own use. Any member who violates this condition will have to vacate the encroachment. Further violation will attract a heavy penalty equal to five times the monthly maintenance charges, per month for the period of encroachment. This bye-law also restricts members to carry out any construction, structural changes over and above the sanctioned plan without the permission of the society or the municipal authority.
A flat must be used only for its approved purpose. Any violation will incur a penalty equal to five times the monthly maintenance charge for each month of the infringement, applied retrospectively for the entire period of misuse.
The questions are answered by Sharmila Ranade, a legal expert associated with Mumbai Grahak Panchayat. The questions, in brief, may be sent to fpjchs@gmail.com
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