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Soundaryam Comfort Homes
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News Letter - 7 April 2008

Dear Sir/Madam,

Vanakkam, On 7 April 2008, a meeting was held at The Retreat. The meeting was chaired by Colonel (Retd) A Sridharan, VSM and was attended by the residents of Soundaryam and Santhosham who were available.

Colonel (Retd) A Sridharan welcomed all present and thanked them for sparing their valuable time to attend the meeting. He said that the last meeting was held on 30 May 2007 and since we have commenced a new financial year and also because the residents of Santhosham would be moving into their villas shortly (some have moved in already) it was necessary to take stock of various issues and update the details to all the residents. Besides this meeting would also give us an opportunity to take stock of deficiencies in the Services being provided (if any) and take action to improve the same.

Colonel Sridharan said that we have come a long way since the project was launched over three years ago and that we have evolved a lifestyle which is appreciated by one and all. It was also gratifying to note the Soundaryam –Santhosham Comfort and Retirement Homes has been given the award as the “Most Eco Friendly Gated Community” in Coimbatore by the Association of British Scholars and the Resident Awareness Association of Coimbatore (RAAC) for the Year 2008. This award could not have been possible but for the help and cooperation of our residents who are our strength and who encouraged all of us in our Team to do more and achieve perfection and provide maximum satisfaction to the residents through our Service. Not only in Coimbatore but in our country, the complex of Soundaryam – Santhosham has gained name and fame. However, our team will not be content with our achievements but will continue to strive hard to not only maintain the standards set but also improve upon it. For this we seek the support of all residents, which we are proud to say that we are getting it in abundance. Our sincere thanks for your support, cooperation and encouragement

Developments since May 2007:

• Project Santhosham:

  • This project is nearing completion. Already two residents have moved in (one of them has left the country on a short holiday) and others are expected to move in soon or give their villas on rent. While most of the work has been completed, the Bitumen on the roads will be laid shortly as we are waiting for some break from the un-seasonal rain. We hope to complete this work within ten days.
  • Landscaping work will be taken up after the BT work on the roads.
  • Generator has arrived and has been connected to the villas. We have also installed automatic change over switch to the Generator in Soundaryam for the Common areas. Besides, at The Retreat, we have strengthened the UPS so that the problem of Intercom/ cable TV is resolved.
  • Santhosham Generator can only become operational when more residents move in as we need minimum load for the generator to function.
  • The Activity Centre is ready. In fact the Meeting on 7 April was held in the Activity Centre. We are getting the furnishing shortly. One of the Ayurvedic rooms is being got ready and the table costing over Rs 35,000/- has been ordered. We have also placed orders for a few Gym equipment.
  • We intend offering the Ayurvedic Massage facility for two days in a week and see the response. If the response is good we can also get the other room ready. Until then, this room can be used for meditation.
  • The Dining Room extension has been completed and furnishings have been ordered. Furniture is already in place. Some interior work is getting completed and this too will be operational soon.
  • The Two Guest Rooms Ragam and Thalam are already operational and are being put to good use.
  • The Ramp to the First Floor of the Medical Centre is ready. We have also made arrangement for the Dhobi for ironing of clothes
  • Work on the Mess Staff Quarters has been completed.
  • We have also given free accommodation to the Swamiji and will be constructing his quarters in Shenbhagam Estates so that he is more comfortable. Swamiji is conducting classes three times a week now
  • Additional Solar Lights have been commissioned in Santhosham. We will also add some more Solar lights in Soundaryam as requested by some of the residents.
  • The Arch at the entrance of Soundaryam has been completed.

Catering Charges: In spite of the increase in cost of food items and the inflation being at record high, we are comfortable with the existing rates. This is mainly because Casual Diners pay additional amount and that has off set the increase in cost! We will watch the price for the next three months and then revert to you if necessary. With more diners from Santhosham also joining in, our estimate is that the present amount charged is sufficient.

• Maintenance Charges: The following facts were brought out:

The progress of work is as follows:

  • The statistical data for the following were circulated to all present:
The monthly Profit and Loss Statement for Maintenance cost from July 07 to Feb 2008. The average loss per month was to the tune of about Rs 9100/- or so
The monthly consumption of RO and Bore Well water for each villa was given out. The average consumption of RO water was about 2.74 lac ltrs per month. The usage of water in some cases is too high.
The proposed additions in staff consequent to the residents of Santhosham also occupying their villas was given out. The incremental staff will be for the Mess, maids, security and gardeners. No increase in administrative staff was proposed. The Budget for the staff from Apr 2008 as well as the increase in staff salary and bonus was also given out in detail.
  • Summary of the Above Statements:
The loss suffered by the Company due to additional maintenance cost to the tune of about Rs 9100 per month is mainly due to cost of running of utilities like RO Water and the water consumption has been high
The Company has to increase the annual staff salary of the staff from Apr 01, 2008 and also increase the number of staff members this year.
So far, bonus to the staff was not paid from the Maintenance charges but by the Management. From this year this too will be required to be paid to the staff.
 
We have been taking partial salary of the Assistant Manager amounting to Rs 5000/= per month from the maintenance fund collection. We need to charge the salary of the Assistant Manager and the Accounts Executive in full as well as take part of the salary of General Manager (Services) amounting to Rs 7500/- per month only.
 
There will be increase in EB charges after the residents of Santhosham also join in as the cost of running the RO Plant and STP as well as the common amenities will go up.
 
The total anticipated expenditure per month is Rs 1,45,060/- (details circulated to all present). But the collection is far below the anticipated expenditure.
  • Deductions:

    The total number of villas will be 79 in Soundaryam – Santhosham Complex
    It is proposed to increase the maintenance charges wef 01 April 2008 to Rs 1625 per month for villas below 1000 sq ft plinth area (total 46 Nos) and Rs 1825 per month for villas above 1001 sq ft (33 Nos). This would realize a sum of Rs 1, 34, 965/- per month, leaving a short fall of Rs 10,095/- per month.
    The short fall will be made up by charging for RO water
    In the case of Santhosham Residents, those who have moved in will be charged maintenance charges wef 1 Apr and all others (except villa Nos 24, 25 and 32 which are under construction) will be charged from 1 May 2008. These three villas will be charged only from the date of completion of the villas
  • Water:

    It was also brought to notice of all present that the quantum of Siruvani water that is being made available is not enough. We have taken up a case with the District Collector for augmenting Siruvani water but it is unlikely to happen until the Pillor Scheme II becomes operational
    Based on the request in the meeting of May 27 2007, the RO water connection was given to the entire villa except for garden for which we made bore well provision.
    The production cost of RO Water comes to about 2.1 paise per ltr (BARC standard working is 3 paise per ltr)

    To offset the cost of RO water, it was proposed to charge for water as follows wef 01 Apr 2008:

    Ro Water:
     
    Rs 50 per month - For 1000 ltrs of water
    2.5 paise per ltr for water consumption beyond 1000 ltrs (0.4 paise per ltr which is more than the production cost is for capital expenses which we will incur over a period of time)
    Bore Well Water:
     
    Rs 25 per month - Upto 2500 ltrs per month
    1.5 paise per ltr for consumption beyond 2500 ltrs

  • Transport Facility:

    The modified Maruti Van is being used by residents and the cost of running it is breaking even.
    Once Shenbhagam Estates also becomes operational, we intend buying an A/C Mini bus and operate shuttle service to the city for our residents.
  • Library:
  • The cataloguing of books has been completed.
  • Adequate magazines and news papers are being made available. If residents desire any more magazines, these can be made available as money is available for the same.


  • Maid Service:
  • The services of the maids have been streamlined and the system by and large is satisfactory.


  • Roof Repair: The work has been undertaken for all the villas and is nearing completion


  • Power Supply:

    There has been problem with the electricity supply. Due to non availability of dedicated Transformer and use of large number of A/Cs, tripping takes place at odd times. It is difficult to find the TNEB Lineman every time and this causes lots of inconveniences. Our support staff also finds it difficult to trace the Lineman, especially on holidays as he switches off his mobile.
    Colonel Sridharan said that the authorities have since visited the area and even the residents went and met them along with the Company representatives. As of now, they have not agreed to provide separate transformer for both the complexes. Santhosham is being served by Kalampalayam feeder and Soundaryam by the Perur Feeder. If the situation does not improve, the TNEB has promised to do the needful.
    Colonel Sridharan requested those present to minimize the use of A/Cs in each villa and also not to switch on all the A/Cs in the villas at the same time.

  • ID Card: This has since been made and issued to all present. Those who were not present may please collect it from the Office when they come here next time and carry it with them as it gives all details including emergency medicines to be administered and contact numbers etc.
  • Intercom: We had lots of problems with the Intercom connections. We waited for BSNL connection to be given which had in –built Intercom facility. Since there was inordinate delay in BSNL completing new Telephone Exchange at Kalampalayam, we got the entire wires replaced and now the Intercom is functional.
  • Ration Card: We have taken up a case with the District Collector for arranging the Ration Card to all our residents and we are pursuing the matter with the authorities.
  • Voter’s ID Card: A case for this has also been taken up with the District Collector and we will keep you posted of the development.
  • Cable TV Connection: There was some problem with the Cable TV reception which has since been resolved by the Cable TV Operator. However for Santhosham, the Cable TV connection will only be given by the Operator when more residents move in. Colonel Sridharan suggested that the residents opt for Tata Sky or DTH and do away with the Cable TV connection. With the Government of Tamil Nadu having formed a separate Company for Cable TV, there may be problems of business interests between Sumangali Cable Vision which now has monopoly and the newly formed Government Company. With digital TV becoming order of the day DTH may be the better bet, he said. For those of the Santhosham residents who have paid the money for Cable TV advance as per our Final bill, the amount will be adjusted against the Maintenance charges. Those residents who desire Cable TV connection may get the connection from the Cable TV Operator directly. Our Staff will help you accordingly.

Points from the Residents: The points raised by the residents and the answers given by the Management are given below:

  • Bore well Water Connection for EWC: There was a suggestion that we modify the existing system in such a way that the EWCs get only bore well water and not RO Water. Colonel Sridharan said that the main reason for changing the system after the meeting in May 2007 was that residents did not want any pitting in the toilets including the sanitary ware by using the bore well water. To change again will cost some money as the entire plumbing has been done for the existing system. However, we will look into the feasibility and revert in a few days time.
  • Hospital Services: One of the suggestions was that we tie up with private the hospital at Madhampatti which provides good service. Another suggestion was that we also tie up with GKNM Hospital. Colonel Sridharan said that the Madhampatti Hospital is fine for minor ailments and not for major emergencies. We now have a tie up with the Ramakrishna Hospital which has a feeder hospital next to Soundaryam – Santhosham Complex. He said that we can go to any hospital that the residents desire as we know Doctors from all hospitals and in an emergency we will be there to give total support. He said any one is at liberty to call him for emergency medical treatment at any time and the entire team will do the needful. We do have good liaison with all hospitals. Unfortunately no hospital can keep a room reserved for our residents but our Company will do all it can to get the best treatment and room etc as we had done in the past to some of the residents.
  • Generator for Soundaryam Residents: There was a suggestion that residents of Soundaryam should also get Generator facility as the residents of Santhosham. This is mainly because of the increased load shedding and the need to replace the UPS batteries which are expensive. Colonel Sridharan said that we had worked out the cost and informed all the residents of Soundaryam but the proposal did not find favour with the majority and had to be shelved. Even now if the majority residents need generator, we can do the needful.
  • Sludge from STP: One of the residents wanted the sludge from the STP. Colonel Sridharan said that so far the quantum of sludge collected is megre and when we clean the tank, we will give to those we want it for their gardens. He also said that the Vermi compositing has been improved with advice from the Horticulture Consultant. He requested the residents to kindly segregate the food and bio degradable waste from other solid waste especially plastic so that we can achieve Zero Garbage. The Panchayat has also agreed to send their transport regularly for taking the solid non degradable waste.
  • Defective Water Meters: Colonel Sridharan said that the Management is getting some spare meters and if any of the water meters are defective, it can be replaced, repaired and re-fixed.
  • Removal of Weeds: A good suggestion from a resident to ensure that at the time of handing over of completed villas we removed the weeds from the roots, and then only fill up the red soil was accepted and will be implemented. As for cleaning the grass in unoccupied villas, Colonel Sridharan said that we can clean the grass every month but will charge for the labour and add it to the resident’s bill.
  • Possibility of Getting Additional Street Lights: Colonel Sridharan said that we will undertake an exercise and will put up additional Solar Street lights wherever necessary. Fortunately, thanks to the Stand by Generator, even the Gate lights in Santhosham will be on in case of load shedding at night.
  • UPS Maintenance Charges: This is being charged @ Rs 25 per month as we have entered into an AMC contract. To a point that our electricians should do this checking, Colonel Sridharan said that this will be difficult to monitor and our electricians may not like to take on this responsibility and in the end the Management will become answerable. He requested that AMC for UPS be accepted as we can demand service for the money that we are paying.
  • Cleaning of Cob Webs: To a suggestion, it was agreed that cob webs will be cleaned once a month by a man instead of a woman as they find it difficult to do the job efficiently.
  • Cleaning of Toilets: We had a man who used to clean toilets but he has since left our Company. In Tamil Nadu it is difficult to find some one to clean toilets. However, we will try and find some one who is willing to clean the toilets.
  • Repair of Entrance Road: There are some pot holes on the Main entrance road from the Siruvani Road. This will be filled up when we do the BT work for the roads at Santhosham
  • Vote of Thanks:

    The residents present in unison gave a standing ovation to the Management Team for the service that they are rendering for them. Colonel Sridharan thanked all of them for their support and suggestions

    Conclusion:

    Colonel Sridharan thanked all the residents of Soundaryam and Santhosham for making it the Most Eco Friendly Gated Community in Coimbatore. Today this complex has brand equity and the value of the property has gone up by almost 300% in three years. Any one who enters the community goes with happy feelings. All this has been possible because of the Group cohesion and community life that all the residents have created for themselves. The management is only trying to make life as comfortable as possible for all our residents.

    We believe that Service is Before Self. The ultimate joy that we get is when we see our residents laughing, enjoying life and wanting to live it up. We shall support you in realizing your dream of enjoying all that life has to offer in a clean and green surroundings.

    With best regards

    Yours sincerely

    Colonel (Retd) A Sridharan, VSM
    Coimbatore

    Managing Director
    April 7, 2008

     


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