Rising maintenance costs in Bengaluru apartments due to water and security expenses
Bengaluru: The maintenance charges in Bengaluru's apartment complexes have seen a significant increase, primarily driven by the rising costs of water and security. Many residents are now facing higher monthly expenses, with water charges being a major contributor due to the reduced supply from the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and the increasing reliance on expensive tanker water.
At Trifecta Starlight in Garudacharpalya, the monthly water expenses per flat have surged from Rs 415 to Rs 1,500 since April. Pradeep Chenthati, the treasurer of the complex, noted that their maintenance costs are expected to rise from Rs 1 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 1.22 crore this financial year.
Similarly, Nikoo Homes-1 in Bhartiya City, a large complex with over 2,400 flats, has seen a 21% increase in water charges in 2023-24, on top of a 14% rise the previous year. Maintenance costs in this complex have also risen by over 10%, with rates per square foot increasing for the first time in several years.
Security expenses are another factor driving up maintenance costs. Complexes are facing challenges due to the increasing number of e-commerce delivery personnel entering the premises. To manage this, some complexes have deployed additional security and installed tracking devices to monitor visitors. At SMD Altezz in Kadugodi, security costs have risen as the complex has taken measures to restrict the movement of delivery personnel after 10:30 pm.
The Bengaluru Apartments’ Federation (BAF) has reported that Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) are struggling to keep maintenance charges below Rs 7,500 per month, with the 18% GST applied to charges exceeding this amount adding to the financial burden on residents.
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Karnataka HM G Parameshwara blames EVM for Cong debacle in Maharashtra, backs ballot papers
BENGALURU: Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara on Monday alleged Electronic Voting Machine manipulations led to the defeat of Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance in just concluded assembly polls in Maharashtra.
While speaking to reporters here on Monday, he said the BJP does selective manipulations to convince people that there were no wrongdoings. He also wanted to go back to the paper ballots system.
The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra won a landslide victory in the assembly elections, shattering the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi's dream to wrest power. The BJP won the highest ever 132 seats for the party, while the Shiv Sena led by Shinde bagged 57 seats and NCP won 41 seats to take the Mahayuti total to 230 seats. Congress as part of MVA won just 16 seats.
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"We analysed the Maharashtra poll outcome deeply. We felt that in many places EVMs were manipulated," Parameshwara said. He also said an obvious question would be why not it happened in Jharkhand and elsewhere. The manipulations are done selectively so that no one can question it, he blamed.
According to him, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha is a leading partner. Had the Congress been the leading partner, things would have changed. He backed the ballot papers saying that the same was discussed in Maharashtra Congress as well.
