On attaining necessary quorum Mr. Gautam Ray, President, Salt Lake FE Block Residents` Association, declared the meeting to be in order. He mentioned that due to unprecedented worldwide pandemic situation on COVID outbreak, Executive Committee in its meeting dated 5th June 20 has decided to convene the Annual General Meeting in virtual platform, as in such a force major condition in accordance to the latest order of Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, it is not possible to conduct the meeting with physical gathering form. Accordingly, the Annual General Meeting was convened on 28th June 2020, at 4 p.m., in virtual platform but due to technical problem, the meeting could not be held and after waiting for one hour, in absence of requisite forum, the meeting was declared deferred and rescheduled on 5th July 2020, at 4 p.m., again in virtual platform. Accordingly, notice was issued and circulated among all members informing such deferment of meeting and requesting them to participate in the meeting of 5th July, 2020 at 4 pm. Members present on virtual platform on 5th July, 2020 approved the meeting being held as a special case without provision of any precedence, under this pandemic and lockdown situation.

Mr. Gautam Ray welcomed the members (both ordinary and associate) and at the outset conveyed his sincere thanks to all the members and residents of the Block for rendering whole hearted co-operation since this Executive Committee took charge in July 2019 with overwhelming support from the residents. The main objective of the Committee was to continue with the regular activities for Block development and other social events with larger participation. It has also emphasized on bringing new and innovative programmes to ensure more and more participation in collaborative manner. Attempts were made to keep close connect with the residents particularly the elder one and for that a dedicated team was formed in the name of Bharosa, under the convenorship of Smt Subhra Raychaudhury who had worked in untiring manner to keep lively interaction with the senior citizens. Executive Committee has been benefited by the active guidance and cooperation from the Advisory Committee which had altogether three meetings to discuss on various important and strategic issues.

He mentioned that in an unprecedented situation of COVID outbreak we had to reorient all our activities adhering to the statutory guidelines and also had to plan the activities contextual to the current situation. Now with this background, he formally initiated the meeting agenda wise:

1)      To confirm the minutes of the Annual General Meeting 2018-19 held on 30th June 2019 – The minutes of the said meeting was circulated to the members and as we have not received any comments so I consider the minutes to be confirmed.

2)      To adoptwith  or without  modificationthe Secretarys  Report on functioning and activities of the Association held during 2019-20: Sri. Kallol Dutta, Secretary, presented the annual report for the year 2019-20. He mentioned that the report in printed form has already been circulated to the members. However, for further clarification of the members some of the highlights are being presented again. With profound grief, he mentioned that we have lost 33 residents during this period. He mentioned the names of the residents who passed away since the last Annual General Meeting and requested participants to observe one-minute silence to pay respect in memory of those departed souls. Since last AGM, 16 new members have been added ( 6 ordinary members and 10 Associates). Entire Executive Committee was very active and 15 Executive Committee meetings were held during this period along with one special general body meeting to discuss on puja celebration for the year 2019. Besides, different subcommittee meetings were also held time to time. On functions and festivals, it has been observed that the participation was significantly large. During the Durga Puja of 2019 an E-Souvenir was launched on the inaugural day. Pandal was made airconditioned. Astami bhog was distributed to all the residents and a special senior citizen gathering was organized on Saptami evening with support from Bharosha group. Full proof firefighting system and plastic free zone were established. Subsequently, there have been events like Lakshmi Puja, Kali Puja, Bijoya & Diwali meet and we observed huge participation in all the events. Health subcommittee organized seminar on dementia and elderly health care along with the blood donation camp. Children`s Day was observed with sit-n-draw competition where participation exceeded 75. Annual Picnic was organized in a befitting manner and on 25th December 2020, a senior citizen meet, first of its kind, was held with much of appreciation from the participants. Block observed the centenary birthday of Sri Sunil Dhar. A event calendar was circulated and subsequently, birthday celebration of Swami Vivekananda, Annual Sports along with indoor games competition, observance of Netaji`s birthday, Republic Day, Saraswati Puja, Bhasa Diwas and National Science Day were organized one after another. A jatra was held with large scale participation. 

Subsequently, with lockdown due to COVID outbreak, no more events could be held in physical form. However, with the trend of utilizing the digital platform, Block organized Rabindra Jayanti, Nazrul Jayanti and Bengali New Year by way of publishing E-journal and series of musical compilation was circulated through virtual platform. Library has become operational with complete stock taking of books and proper documentation. The period during COVID 19, the situation has become very difficult, inspite of that a fund was mobilized by contribution from the residents and the Committee has donated Rs.1 Lac to CM special fund. Moreover, three times ration was distributed to the beneficiaries of difficult economy situation residing in the Block and five times sanitization was organized in the Block. Except two lanes, the roads were repaired. We are in the active stage of negotiation for setting up lights and also to renovate the green verges as quickly as possible. Lane indicators have been renewed and the remaining two roads will be taken up for repair as quickly as possible. During Amphan, there has been a devastating damage by uprooting of trees. However, with the help of Bidhannagar Municipality Corporation, we could restore the normalcy within two days. We have given special importance for security arrangement and regular liaison and coordination was made with local police and administration. 

He conveyed sincere thanks to all sub committee and puja committee convenors, joint convenors and members for their untiring effort to make the functioning of the block successful and motivating. To name a few he mentioned of Smt Subhra Ray Chaudhury, Smt Deepa Ghosh, Sri Krishnendu Mukherjee, Smt Rakhi Sarkar, Asst Secretary, Sri N K Kedia, Sri Shailendra Singh, Dr Pallab Bhattacharya, Sri Pankaj Kapoor, Sri Shyamal Datta, Sri Surajit Ray, Sri Alok Raychaudhury, Sri Basab Basak, Prof Dibyandu Hota, Smt Ela Das, Justice Sambuddha Chakrabarty, Smt Debi Kesh, Smt Aditi Ray and many others. Finally, Secretary conveyed sincere thanks to Hon`ble Minister-in-Charge, Fire Services & MLA - Sri. Sujit Basu, Hon`ble Mayor of Bidhannagar Municipality Corporation - Smt. Krishna Chakraborty and Borough Chairman & Local Councilor - Smt. Nilanjana Manna for their untiring support for the development of the Block.

3)      To adoptthe Audited    Statement  of Accountsfor  the financial year 2019-20 along with  Auditor`s   Report  there on : Sri. V. P. Goel. Treasurer placed the audited accounts for the year 2019-20. He mentioned that there has been a balance of Rs.199762/= before depreciation even after incurring loss of Rs.78068/= due to sale of Ambulance the collection has reached a record figure of Rs.39.61 Lacs as against the budget of 37.35 Lacs.

4)       While inviting the views and opinions of the members participating in the Annual General Meeting, Sri. T. P. Kar initiated by saying that some figurative mismatch are being observed in the accounts, which need to be taken care of and he opined that as Association is running on mutuality concept, many decisions are taken unanimously for the benefit of the Block residents. Mr. D. K. Sengupta highlighted that Association should take immediate action for repair of remaining two lanes. Sri. S. Roychowdhury highlighted on regularization of memberships and he also suggested that non-member tenants should also be requested to contribute for annual subscription and Puja donation. Dr. Hirak Sen suggested that fixed deposit should be transferred to SBI. Association should create a sinking fund to manage exigencies and the building infrastructure should be insured to protect against any unforeseen loss or damage. Sri. S. K. Aich emphasized on the maintenance of green verge and the surrounding roads. He also mentioned on afforestation and having a proper parking discipline in each lane. He particularly mentioned about the uncomfortable situation arising out of people coming from outside as patient to a hospital which might be a cause of danger in the present context. Sri Shailendra Singh mentioned that austerity measure should be taken to ensure more surplus bank balance. Celebrations like picnic should not be subsidised and co-opted EC members should be more active. He also volunteered for green verge lighting and provision of oxygen cylinder for the ailing patients. He mentioned that on request from President, he has developed an Apps for the block, which will be useful. Sri. Pankaj Dhanuka stressed on strengthening the night guard system and also to create active facebook. Sri. S. Ghosh mentioned that unauthorized settlement near Tank No.12 is creating nuisance which need to be looked into. Smt. Krishna Chakraborty advised Association to look into the situation of water logging and also highlighted the need of proper cleaning of green verge. Sri. S. K. Chatterjee appealed members to donate more generously for relief fund of Chief Minister. He also stressed on membership regularization and the need of financial approval for all the events. Considering the oldage residents, he stated that the digital form of meeting should be avoided as far as possible. Dr. A. M. Saha conveyed sincere thanks to the Committee for their good performance. Sri. Himangshu Ray, while appreciating the Committee for good performance, requested for a Doctor`s Committee to be formed to address the medical requirement at the time of need. Sri. Rajiv Changiwala mentioned that Association should give emphasis on having young members as much as possible. Sri. N. K. Bose confirmed that this meeting is in order and he also appreciated the Committee very much for their performance. Sri. Samir Chakrabarty stressed the need of strengthening the night guard system. Sri. Debasish Chatterjee mentioned that sometimes the dog movement is creating nuisance and many people are depositing debris by the side of FE Main Park. Proper waste disposal system should be looked into, along with tree plantation. Sri. Prithwijit Ray, while congratulating the Association for the successful performance, emphasized the need of training/coaching classes on different aspect for the children between 5-8 years and 8-15 years.

5)       Subsequently, Smt Tandra Goswami, convenor library committee spoke on library activity and mentioned that on stock clearance a few books were not found including a few newly purchased books. However, now the entire catalogue is ready and books were properly organised. Sri Shailendra Singh presented the Apps recently developed and it ws decided that with some modifications, it will be formally launched soon. Sri Shyamal Datta, EC member shared the experience of how we have worked during COVID situation for the benefit of elderly and sick residents. Sri Pankaj Kapoor, convenor sports committee shared the experience of Annual sports and mentioned of record participation and environment friendly arrangements including setting up of bio toilet. Sri Manas Ghosh, Vice President, mentioned a few points on accounts and other activities related to block development. President Sri. Gautam Ray and Secretary Sri. Kallol Dutta replied to all the points mentioned by the members and assured that all attempts will be made to address the issues mentioned by the members. Generally, major four areas will be looked into : a) Block Development including remaining Road repair, lighting, green verge cleaning and maintenance, sweeping, security strengthening etc. b) Activity in COVID outbreak situation including awareness, medical attention, sanitisation, relief, adherence to statutory guidelines etc. c) Use of digital platform including Apps, facebook, virtual platforms for conduction meetings and other events, d) Fund and infrastructure related including transfer of FD, sinking fund, donation for relief, insurance, special corpus fund for community building renovation, regularisation of membership etc. Members agreed on creating a special corpus fund for building renovation.

6)       Appointment of Auditor : Sri. V. P. Goel proposed the name of Sri. N. Das as Auditor to be continued for the year 2020-21, which was seconded by Sri Surajit Ray. It was resolved unanimously.

7)          As no formal resolution was received by the Committee within due date, the Annual Report of the Secretary as circulated and placed, along with the Audited Accounts statement, were approved by the Annual General Meeting unanimously.

8)          Sri. V. P. Goel, Treasurer presented the provisional budget and mentioned that because of COVID outbreak, this year activity will be less and accordingly, a reduced budget has been prepared. The proposed budget was approved by the members.

At the end, President Sri Gautam Ray appreciated all the members and conveyed his sincere thanks for participating in this historic event of virtual Annual General meeting, which may not happen in the Block in near future to come. He also appealed to the members to stay safe under this challenging situation and ended the meeting with a commitment to serve the Block to the best of their ability.