Pune: It seems that still District Magistrate’s warning is not taken seriously by the residential societies in Pune who are formulating and administering their own ‘by-laws’ for prohibiting the domestic maids let enter the society for the work.
The Pune Municipal Corporation along with the state government had given the adequate guidelines that need to be followed for allowing maids and other essential services to enter the building. The Pune District Collector Naval Kishore Ram on Tuesday warned societies not to practice their own laws which are hampering citizen life. Undue harassment to society members will face action under section 144 and 188.
The administration officers, as well as the local NGOs and police, are getting calls about the societies being rigid in not following proper easy way out for maids to come but imposing blanket rules on its society members which is tough for them.
To overcome the issue, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (ZONE III) Pournima Gaikwad came up with dos and don’ts that needs to be followed by society members while letting in outsiders as well as domestic maids. The norms like carrying out temperature check, maintaining social distance, use of sanitisers and using mask compulsory.
Various housing societies in posh areas of Pune especially Koregoan Park, Vimannagar, Kharadi, Salisbury Park, NIBM, Hadapsar and other non-containment zones are facing issues.
Citizens from Kharadi said, “Although we are working from home the working hours have increased and in this pandemic, it is difficult to look after children, engage them when we are working, cook food and also carry out domestic work. We are struggling at all the ends and the societies instead of helping us are pointing fingers on us and forcing us to give an undertaking that due to our maids nothing will happen and taking onus if anyone will get affected it will be our responsibility.”
While another shared, "If objected to any point of society to permit the maid, the entire society looks as accused. We are already paying money to maids and it is difficult to pay the additional amount for her medical kit that society is imposing on us as her salary has been cut despite us working and we ourselves are pinching ourselves to meet the financial crisis. The society's committees are really harassing in such away. We must talk about a solution but such dictatorship practice is going on for a maid."
Sakal Times gathered few of such societies monopoly by-laws mentioning that, “There is no blanket approval for all maids to start working. The residents should submit an application form mentioning the reason, urgency for hiring a maid as well as undertaking documents in the society office. Thirdly, undertaking to be given that due to maid no other society members or the family will get transmitted. The maids will have to undergo COVID-19 test. Management Committee (MC) will facilitate testing in society premises and the cost of each test is Rs. 4500 and maids will also be given immunity booster injection costing Rs 200 each. Respective owner or maid will have to bear the total cost of Rs 4700 and pay directly to the testing personnel. Society will not bear any costs and MC will only co-ordinate for the testing facility.”
It went on, “Depending on the situation in future, the tests may have to be repeated as and when required. Irrespective of further testing, residents must update the society office about the general health of maid on a weekly basis. Any symptoms should be reported immediately. The onus is on the resident to make sure the maid follows safety protocols as prescribed by the Maharashtra Government and other local authorities.”
“We expect residents to ensure the maid you have requested comes and works in their respective house only and does not start working in other homes who have not requested for a maid with or without your permission. So, the residents must come to the main gate to escort the maid in and out of society. And avoid using lifts as well as a maid to leave before 7 pm. The risk and responsibility of domestic help completely lie with the resident who is opting for the domestic Help. Management Committee will not be responsible for any issues arising due to maids. Domestic Help having smartphones should have an Aarogya Setu app installed,” it stated.
A top brass officer associated with the Co-operative housing societies said, “The prohibitory norms laid by the housing societies must mean for the smooth functioning of the societies members benefit Despites the Collector, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Police guidelines norms about the precautionary measures. Guidelines for allowing maids are already decided. The society committee cannot simply impose it; they need to decide in a general body meeting. Thou society committee can make a law not play a monopoly role.”
DCP Gaikwad said, “The laws must be laid down by government and authority. The kit and other facilities that have been talked about are precautionary measures, a medical certificate is best. If anyone complains such about monopoly by-laws made by societies, approach us we will initiate action.”
