67 +
Years
Existence
A BRIEF INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND:
Shri.G.D.Ambekar
It was a well-known fact that during the year 1958, there was an acute housing shortage in Bombay (now Mumbai). The middle class had no other alternatives for housing but to look out for self-help. Knowing this need, few gentlemen persuaded Shri. G D Ambekar, the then General Secretary of The Rashtriya Mill Mazdoor Sangh, to give a helping hand to sponsor a Co-operative Housing Society for the middle class. Since The Rashtriya Mill Mazdoor Sangh (RMMS) had already built one Kamgar Co-operative Housing Society at Kurla, within the reach of the working class. Shri.G.D.Ambekar agreed to do one in Parel.
On 20th October 1957, a meeting was held in the premises of RMMS with around 50 persons under guidance of Shri G.D.Ambekar. It was decided in this meeting to form a Co-operative Housing Society for the middle-class people irrespective of caste, creed and religion. A Provisional Managing Committee (PMC) was elected for preliminary work.
In the General meeting held on 20th December 1957, presided by Shri. Ambekar, the then Bye Laws were adopted and the name of the Society was changed from Middle Class Co-operative Housing Society to The Maharashtra Co-operative Housing Society Ltd.
On 24th November 1957, the PMC appointed M/s Bhaishankar Kanga and Girdharilal & Co. as Solicitors of the society and on 8th December 1957, the PMC appointed M/s S.K. Malik & Co as Architects of the Society. On 10th January 1958, the PMC entered into agreement to purchase part of land bearing C.S. No. 663 Parel Division, Bombay. The Society was registered on 25th October 1958 by the Dy. Registrar-Bombay Division. The PMC called the first General Body meeting on 11th November 1958 and Managing Committee was elected.
On 21st January 1959, the Society purchased the part of land C.S. No. 663 Parel Division from Shri V.G. Rao and others admeasuring 13,657 sq. yards at cost of Rs. 1,77,042/-.
On 26th January 1959, the Society performed the Bhumi-Pujan ceremony at the hands of Shri. G.D. Ambekar. On 10th May 1959, the Society performed the Foundation Ceremony by then Hon. Shri. Rutubhai Adani (Minister for Prohibition, Village Panchayat and Cottage Industries-Bombay State).
The plot of land purchased is on the top of a hill, Golanji Hill. It was uneven, undulating, and also there was a big water pond. On 1st May 1959, tenders were invited for five buildings up to plinth level work. The contractors commenced their work on 20th May 1959. The site plan and building plans were approved by the Municipal Corporation and commencement certificate was given to the Society on 18th May 1959.
Courtesy : Mr Chandrashekhar Lotlikar (E-22)