Noida: A major controversy has erupted at RG Residency, Sector-120, Noida, after the Apartment Owners Association (AOA) issued an order to recover maintenance charges directly from residents’ prepaid electricity meters. The decision has triggered widespread resentment among residents, who have now formally registered their protest with the Noida District Magistrate and the electricity department.
According to residents, a General Body Meeting (GBM) was convened on January 4, 2026, during which the majority of members did not consent to the proposal. Despite the lack of approval, AOA office-bearers allegedly adopted an authoritarian approach and passed the resolution to deduct maintenance charges through electricity meters. The decision was implemented from January 16, 2026, compelling residents to maintain a mandatory balance in their prepaid power meters.
Residents allege that for the second consecutive day, money has been illegally deducted from their prepaid electricity meters, resulting in several meters showing negative balances. Photographs of the negative balance readings have reportedly been shared within resident groups.
The AOA has claimed that payments are being collected through a “software system”; however, residents allege that when questioned, the AOA has failed to disclose the name or details of the software, raising serious concerns over transparency and legality.
Residents have also recalled a similar incident from April 13, 2019, when the builder deducted maintenance charges through prepaid electricity meters. At that time, following complaints to the District Magistrate, the City Magistrate took immediate cognizance and ordered the builder to withdraw the practice with immediate effect. The matter had led to strict action against the builder. Six years later, residents allege that the same practice is being repeated, this time by the AOA.
Residents further argue that as per the guidelines of the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC), maintenance charges cannot be directly or daily deducted from prepaid electricity meters. Despite this, the AOA has proceeded with the implementation, allegedly in violation of regulatory norms.
The residents have demanded that the AOA immediately withdraw what they describe as an arbitrary and dictatorial decision. They have warned that if corrective action is not taken without delay, they will be compelled to seek intervention from the government administration and are prepared to resort to protests and demonstrations to protect their rights.