Upon attaining the required quorum, the Secretary, Dr. Utpal Sadhu, requested the President, Shri Aloke Kumar Chowdhury, to preside over the meeting.
1. Opening Remarks:
The President, Shri Aloke Kumar Chowdhury, began the proceedings by announcing the sad demise of 18 residents of the block since Durga Puja 2023. The house observed a minute of silence to pay homage to the departed souls. Following this, the President requested the Secretary to commence the meeting as per the agenda of Notice No. SLFEBRA/2023-25/34 dated 06.06.2024.
2. Agenda Items:
Agenda-1: To confirmation the minutes of the last AGM held on 25.06.2023:
The Secretary mentioned that the minutes of the AGM held on 25.06.2023 were circulated via Notice No. SLFEBRA/2021-23/45 dated 30.06.2023. He read out the salient parts of the minutes. The House unanimously confirmed the minutes of the AGM of 2023.
Agenda-2: To adopt with or without modification the secretary`s report on functioning of the association during the year 2023-24:
The Secretary referred to the Secretary’s Report 2023-24, circulated via Notice No. SLFEBRA/2023-25/35 dated 07.06.2024, to all members which is available in the Annual Report 2023-24. The House unanimously adopted the Secretary’s Report without any modifications.
3. Member Presentations:
Thereafter the following members presented their views:-
Shri Manas Ghosh (FE 193): He acknowledged the increased welfare activities of the Block and inquired about the funding for illumination and green verges’ maintenance. He questioned whether the Block was involved in anti-mosquito drives and the current state of previously planted trees. He asked about the functioning of Yoga classes and the benefits of maintaining liaison with the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation. He expressed concern over the increase in income and expenditure, particularly the subsidy for Puja coupons, and sought details on cost control measures. He mentioned that there has been an increase in the Income and Expenditure of our Association.
Shri Prithwijit Roy (FE 201): He emphasized that the Block Residents’ Association was formed to enhance social communication among residents. He regretted the lack of awareness among residents about their lane representatives and suggested regular meetings to improve this as provided in our constitution. Besides, the Sub-Committee Convenors should call meetings. He noted minimal attendance at cultural programs and proposed a new vision to increase community welfare and interaction.
Shri Kalyan Mukherjee (FE 403): He shared his positive experiences over the past year, highlighting an increase in income and reduction in expenditure. He said all members have the responsibility to write to the EC their concern through email/ WhatsApp. He appreciated the improved communication among residents through expanded WhatsApp groups. He commended the regular functioning of the Table Tennis Academy and assured members’ willingness to assist the Executive Committee.
Shri N K Bose (FE 28): He praised the President for the new layout of the membership directory in the last Puja Souvenir and appreciated the increased participation in cultural functions. He pointed out the delay in program start times and urged the committee to address this issue. He noted a diminished role for lane representatives in recommending new members and suggested adherence to the traditional process. He expressed concern over the proposed Rs. 63 lakh budget for the 40th Durga Puja celebration and the Rs. 500/- increase in Puja subscription, suggesting a reduction to Rs. 200/- or Rs. 300/- and using the Association’s bank savings if necessary.
Dr. Pallav Bhattacharjee (FE 413): He emphasized the need to increase communication among residents and highlighted the positive development of the Association office being open every evening. He mentioned the Association’s plans to organize various programs for youngsters, including Table Tennis, Cricket, and Football, and the involvement of young residents in Puja and cultural program related activities. He appreciated the improved communication between the residents and the EC through the different WhatsApp groups.
Shri Partha Paul (FE 186): He supported the proposed Rs. 500/- increase in membership subscription due to the current inflationary trends, noting that the subscription had been reduced from Rs. 1200/- to Rs. 1000/- following the last SGM.
Agenda 3: To adopt the audited statement of accounts for the financial year2023-24 along with the auditor’s report thereon
The statement of accounts for the year 2023-24, along with the auditor’s report, was circulated by Notice No. SLFEBRA/2023-25/34 dated 06.06.2024 in the Annual Report Booklet.
The house unanimously adopted the audited statement of accounts for the financial year 2023-24 along with the auditor’s report.
Agenda 4: To appoint auditor for the financial year 2024-25.
After a brief discussion, the house unanimously resolved to reappoint the current auditor, M. Das & Associates, Chartered Accountants, for the financial year 2024-25, with revised remuneration of Rs. 20,000/-.
Agenda 5: To approve provisional budget for the financial year 2024-25.
A printed handout of containing provisional budget for the financial year 2024-25 was handed over to the members in the meeting.
Shri Manas Ghosh (FE-193) enquired about income from coupon sell, capital fund expenditure, outstanding liability, quantum of advances paid. He also enquired whether the Table Tennis Academy is part of our organization and what is its effect on income tax and GST? He said that to accept donations from big donors, GST registration is mandatory. He also suggested for the formation of a sub-committee for GST. He also said that membership subscription cannot be increased too much, we have to go for sponsorships and donations.
Shri Partha Paul (FE-186) furnished some relevant information relating to GST and said that since we are utilizing the fund for welfare of the block. We may give that argument. He also said that cost of the pandal is Rs. 12.00 lakhs. If it is not achieved, FD has to be pre-matured.
Dr A.M. Saha (FE-99) opined that the planned 40th anniversary celebration be made a memorable one. However he hoped that there would a token onetime moderate increase of subscription and everyone to give efforts to achieve the budget. He said if budget couldn’t be achieved, assets has to be utilized.
Shri Aloke Kr. Chaudhury (President) in this regard responded saying that few AC machines have been replaced and due diligence study of the air-conditioning system is underway. The expansion programme of the Table Tennis academy is ongoing as approved by the previous EC.
Shri Ajit Mondal (FE-152) said that income from the advertisements and donations should be increased. He suggested that if the income is achieved, then only go for 40th year of puja.
Shri Arjoon Mitra (Treasurer) responded by saying that the Committee has appealed to all members to procure Advertisements and Donations.
Shri Kalyan Mukherjee (FE 403) hoped that the increase of Rs 500/- was reasonable. He also suggested a gift/memento be given to each member at the
time of subscription collection. He also questioned about the necessity of inclusion of the financial part of the Annual Report in the Puja Souvenir.
The President asked the House whether anybody has any objection regarding the one time increase of Rs. 500/- in this year’s Puja Subscription. Nobody objected and all members present raised their hands in support the proposed increase.
Agenda 6: Ratification of EC’s unanimous decision to retain the membership subscription unchanged at Rs 1000/- for the year 2023, in consideration of requests of many members, subsequent to SGM’s resolution to increase it from Rs. 1000/- to Rs. 1,200/-.
The proposal was unanimously ratified by the House.
Agenda 7: To consider enhancement of one-time subscription by minimum Rs. 500/- for the celebration of 40th of year Puja this year. The enhanced contributions are vital in ensuring the success and grandeur of our 40th year of Puja.
The proposal was unanimously approved by the House.
Agenda 8: To transact any other business and/or consider such resolution(s) as may properly be brought by any member giving 14 days prior notice in writing to the Secretary.
No such notice was received by the Secretary.
Agenda 9: Miscellaneous Agenda:
i) Parking of Commercial Vehicles: Shri Dilip Kumar Ghosal, Lane Representative of Lane No. 1A, raised the issue of commercial vehicles being parked in various lanes and suggested reporting these to the police. The Secretary agreed, stating that complaints could be lodged with the police if the information provided include the registration numbers and parking locations of the offending vehicles.
ii) Parking of cars in one side of the road: Shri Swapnanjan Goswami, Lane Representative of Lane No. 3, noted that vehicles are parked only on one side of his lane, resulting in that side becoming untidy and subsiding due to the continuous load. To address this issue, he proposed that the parking be periodically shifted to the other side of the lane.
iii) Reservation of Hospital beds: Shri Dilip Kumar Ghosal, Lane Representative of Lane No. 1A along with several other members, proposed that the Association should take an initiative to reserve one or two beds at the Calcutta Heart Clinic or any other nearby hospital. This would ensure that block residents receive preferential admission in case of an emergency. The house agreed to the proposal and suggested Shri
Dilip Kumar Ghosal to interact with the Health Care Sub-committee to take this proposal forward.
iv) Installation of CCTV: Shri Pranab Das (FE-131) recommended installing CCTVs in the block to improve security. This suggestion was supported by Shri Indranil Aich and Shri Uddipta Chatterjee (FE-327). The Secretary mentioned that a recent survey by an agency estimated the installation cost at Rs. 17.00 lakhs, which is beyond the capacity of the Association. Shri Pranab Das pointed out that many houses in the block already have CCTV systems and suggested that the Association approach these homeowners to install additional cameras, with the costs borne by the Association. The police can obtain footage in case of any incident. The house agreed to this proposal and also agree to form a committee under the convenorship of Shri Pranab Das (FE-131) to conduct a feasibility study.
v) Fixed Deposits: In response to a query, Shri Arjoon Mitra, Treasurer, informed the house that the Association has Rs. 12 lakhs in fixed deposits with various banks.
The logo for the 40th year of Puja celebration was jointly unveiled by Dr. A.M. Saha, Shri Shymaleswar Roy Chowdhury, former Presidents, and other senior members present at the meeting.
At the conclusion the President assured the House that all issues discussed and raised during the AGM would be suitably considered at appropriate time.
The Secretary thanked all the members for attending the AGM
The meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the Chair.
Sd/-
Aloke Kumar Chowdhury
President
