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Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) has issued a notice to Utkal Royal Residency Residents Welfare Association (URRWA) in Bhubaneswar over denial of permission to a flat owner in the complex to install an Electric Vehicle (EV) charging point.

The notice was issued following a complaint petition lodged by Tanaya Behera, allottee of Flat No. B-54 of Utkal Royal Residency complex located in Kalpana Square area of the capital city.

In his complaint petition, Behera has alleged that the secretary and president of Utkal Royal Residency Welfare Association arbitrarily denied him permission to install an EV charging point in his own allotted parking space from his own main switch using his electricity connection or from the main supply of the apartment society with a sub meter at his own cost. The copy of the complaint Petition is enclosed herewith for your reference.

The notice was issued on October 25 by the Competent Authority-cum-Secretary of BDA under Section 23(4) of the Odisha Apartment (Ownership & Management) Act, 2023.

The BDA has sought compliance on the allegations made by Behera within one month from the date of issue of the notice failing which action as per provisions of law shall be taken.

Senior Advocate Bibhu Prasad Triapthy, who has advised Behera to approach the BDA over the issue, said such action was necessitated as the housing society has violated the rights of the flat owner to have such essential services as mandated in the Ministry of power guidelines Housing societies cannot deny permission for EV charger installation without any valid technical or safety reasons.

When contacted, president of Utkal Royal Residency Welfare Association Binod Agrawal said the residential complex is governed by its by-law and laid down guidelines and the decision was taken unanimously by the residents and not by any particular individual.

Stating that the issue was taken up and discussed in the AGM of the association twice, he said the complainant failed to turn up to present and explain his views. The agenda for the AGM as well as the decision taken were circulated among the residents, he said, adding, “I also have an EV, but I am not able to charge it inside the complex. Several other members also have EVs and they get the vehicles charged outside as we are strictly adhering to laid down guidelines.”

Agrawal said the association will present the required documents before the BDA and explain as to why it is not possible to give permission for installing EV charging point.

In his complaint, Behera stated that URRWA, acting through its General Secretary and President, has continuously and arbitrarily denied him permission to install an EV charging point in his at his own cost and through the authorised EV dealer from whom he had purchased the EV car.

The petitioner said he had also secured approvals for installation from the authorised EV dealer, the Director (CFO) of the Odisha Fire and Disaster Response Academy, Bhubaneswar, and the Deputy Commissioner (Grievance) of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation.

Terming the actions of URRWA as illegal, arbitrary, and in violation of statutory mandate, he said the bye-laws of URRWA contain no prohibition against EV charging installations.

“The present case is not merely a matter of individual grievance but one that strikes at the very root of statutory compliance, sustainable mobility, and the rights guaranteed to apartment allottees under the Odisha Apartment (Ownership and Management) Act, 2023,” Behera contended.

The petitioner urged the BDA to direct URRWA and its office bearers to explain their conduct and hold an inquiry into their functioning under Section 23(2)(a).

He also sought direction from the competent authority to URRWA to immediately permit installation of an EV charging point in his allotted parking space, using his own connection and at his cost, through the authorised dealer.

Additionally, he sought directions to ensure compliance with Central and State EV policies and approvals already granted by BMC and Odisha Fire Department.