Maharashtra’s cooperation department has received more than 5,000 suggestions and objections on draft bylaws for the state’s over 117,000 housing societies. The consultation was launched last month after the government published the draft for feedback from residents, societies and their federations. Officials said most submissions concern parking, electric vehicle charging stations, maintenance fees and the powers of managing committees. The draft places financial responsibility for charging equipment installed exclusively by a member within their allocated parking space on that member, while residents have sought greater responsibility for societies to provide common charging facilities and maintain them. The proposals classify common parking areas, visitor parking spaces, parking decks and mechanical parking systems as common areas and facilities to be maintained by societies. Stakeholders have also sought clarity on open slots, stilt parking and podium parking, and have asked that these categories be treated consistently under the bylaws. The draft seeks to standardise maintenance charges by dividing common service costs equally among flats. Water charges would be based on the number and size of taps or inlets. Owners of smaller flats have opposed equal charges and sought area-based maintenance, while larger flat owners have supported the proposed system for services such as security, electricity, housekeeping and management. Residents have also urged the government to limit managing committees’ powers, including their authority over no-objection certificates and sale- and lease-related matters. Joint registrar Shahaji Patil, who heads the committee on the bylaws, said 90 per cent of the work had been completed and the rules were expected to be finalised in the first week of October after further meetings. He said suggestions from Mumbai, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Nashik and other areas were being assessed against existing rules and laws. The new bylaws would have to be adopted within three months of publication, and any society seeking changes would require approval from the registrar.