Once the required quorum by Ordinary members was attained Shri Gautam Ray, President of the Salt Lake FE Block Residents Association, officially announced the start of the meeting. He said that the Executive Committee in its meeting dated 21st May 2021 had decided to convene the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in appropriate time. Accordingly notice SLFEBRA/ 21 /2020-21 dated 26th May 2021 was issued stating that the AGM would be convened on 27th June 2021, at 4 p.m., in virtual platform.
At the very outset Shri Gautam Ray welcomed the members (both ordinary and associate) and thanked all the residents of the Block for rendering their kind co-operation. With deep shock and grief, he mentioned that 36 residents, 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.
Shri Ray began with the first agenda of the meeting i.e. to confirm the Minutes of the AGM, 2019-20 held on 5th July ’20 and declared that since no comments has been received it is treated as accepted. He mentioned that this Executive Committee took charge in July 2019 with huge support from the residents and served with an approach to make all activities more functional as well as bringing more residents under its purview. Although the early months had somewhat favorable working environment however with the increase in the incidence of corona the situation deteriorated rapidly. During this deep calamity when residents were struggling facing regulations of containment, Block Association was by the side of residents, especially elderly patients and tried to give support to the residents with necessary provisions. The strict surveillance and restrictions imposed on the conduct of this year`s puja is a stark example of our determination to ensure the safety and health of our inhabitants. Block Association firmly enforced the government boundaries during Puja. However, we could reach to the residents with viewing of all Puja rituals through virtual platform.
Next he went to the second agenda i.e. to adopt with or without modification the Secretary’s Report on functioning and activities of the Association held during 2020-21 and invited Secretary Shri Kallol Kanti Dutta to place his report before the members. Secretary Shri Dutta greeted all members attending the meeting and presented the annual report for the year 2020-21. He mentioned that the report in printed form has already reached the members. After drawing the attention of the members he discussed the core part of his report. Shri Dutta stated that since last AGM, 18 new members have been added (10 ordinary member and 08 Associate) raising the total membership strength to 775. During this period entire Executive Committee was quite active and 17 Executive Committee meetings were held along with one special general body meeting to discuss on puja celebration for the year 2020. Initially we were bit skeptical about conducting the festivals in an indecisive environment and therefore convened a special general body meeting in August 2020. Members decided that (i) Block may organize Pujas complying all norms and statutory rules , (ii) subscription would remain same, (iii) an open type pandal be pitched having more coverage and lastly (iv) the Community Centre building would be repaired at the earliest with an appeal made to all residents to contribute a subscription @ Rs 1000/- towards the building fund. Durga Puja 2020 has been memorable to residents. Keeping in mind the time regulations and other restrictions we attempted to carry the flavor of Puja pandal to the living room of residents through digital platform and live transmission of recitation of mantra and anjali through You- tube. Our association performed many social responsibilities during Puja viz. (i) food distributed among four hundred-odd distressed people, (ii) donating total Rs. 40,000/- to Ramakrishna Mission Rahra Orphanage and to Pratik Sevavratee an NGO serving the street children, orphans and covid warriors. We tried to help distressed women with sari through Parul Ashram, which serves in Dhanyakhali / Hoogly District in rural Bengal. The next major attempt was much-awaited building renovation. Aluminum sliding doors has been fitted in the hall beside staircase. The electric meter been shifted outside the building to make space for the passage to the new modified washroom on the ground floor. The underground water tank has been thoroughly restored and the sewerage line has been diverted in new way. The passage in front of the building has been given a new looking after fixing new tiles. The electrical installations in the entire building have been fitted with new panel boards. Electrical lights and fans in the entire building have been replaced. A guest room has been provided to be exclusively used independent from other users of the first floor. The significant change is construction of a tubular shade along with tiles flooring for the kitchen and temporary rooms adjacent to kitchen area. The 1100 sq ft floor area kitchen shed has been covered with Tata blue scope sheets. This complete endeavor cost us more than Rs 15 lakh. The pandemic prevented us from organizing popular programs like Sports, Holi etc. Block Association also played a very supportive role in serving the members offering Corona vaccination at their doorstep on 3rd June’21. In all 466 people were vaccinated. But again I feel sorry to admit that despite our sincere efforts, the road repairing work remains incomplete in lane 2 and lane 8. Finally, Shri Dutta conveyed his heartfelt thanks to members of all Block committees, Advisory & Executive committee members, and many individuals for their valuable guidance and support. He also expressed his gratitude to Hon’ble Minister-in-Charge, Fire Services & MLA - Shri. Sujit Basu, Hon’ble Mayor of Bidhannagar Municipality Corporation - Smt. Krishna Chakra borty and Borough Chairman & Local Councilor - Smt. Nilanjana Manna for their persistent support for the progress of the Block.
President, Shri Ray next went to the third agenda i.e. to adopt the Audited Statement of Accounts for the financial year 2020-21 along with Auditor`s Report there on and requested Shri V. P. Goel Treasurer to place them before the members. Shri V. P. Goel Treasurer placed the audited accounts for the year 2020-21. He informed an income of Rs 22,03,263.75, expenditure of Rs. 16,76,860.05 and depreciation of Rs. 100,641/- during this period leaving a net surplus of Rs. 4,25,762.70 after depreciation. He also stated that contribution of Rs 10,00,502/- has been received for Building Development Fund from Hon’ble members against which Rs 6,15,148/- was spent during the year towards capital work-in-progress.
After Treasurer Shri Goel ended his deliberation on the Accounts for the financial year 20-21, President Shri Ray invited members to give an opinion over the Block activities.
• Shri Shyamal Kanti Pal (FE-472) pointed out at an item ‘Advertisement Receivable Written Off’ amounting Rs 39,500/- and asked about (i) identity of the concerned persons, (ii) action taken to realize the amount and (iii) suggested that henceforth no advertisement should be received from them. In reply, Treasurer Shri Goel explained the background leading to such write-off, to the satisfaction of all the members.
• Shri Shyamaleswar Ray Chowdhury (FE-352/1) greatly appreciated the overall performance of the Association during the last two years specially mentioning the high order discipline maintained during Puja and the services rendered during the lockdown period in particular the cases of hospitalization of seriously ill members. However, he also cautioned the Committee members to be more watchful about the provisions of constitution.
• Shri Debasis Chatterjee (FE- 121) joining from Bangalore cherished the experiences during Puja and also the timely support during the days of lockdown. He emphasized on the need to be more careful on Puja ritual.
• Shri Shivaji Ghosh (FE- 19) took part in the discussion and complimented the functioning of the Association. He expressed anguish on the progress of construction of Rabindra Bhawan opposite to his residence, which has now become a risky, open area without any surveillance and requested for remedial step.
• Dr Bijan Kundu (FE- 483) highly admired the dynamic role of the committee citing at the huge expenditure incurred in various innovative events and construction works but simultaneously parting with a satisfactory deposit for running the Block in coming days.
• Dr. Ahindra Mohan Saha (FE-99) conveyed sincere thanks to the Committee for their good performance. He enquired about the insurance coverage on the assets of the Association. It was intimated that one policy of Rs 71.20 lakhs has been (Rs. 60 lakhs towards the Community Building and Rs 11.20 lakhs towards unforeseen losses against other fixed assets of the Association). For this purpose, a building insurance premium of Rs 3,391/- has been paid to the Tata AIG Insurance Company.
• Shri Indranil Aich (FE- 343) expressed deep satisfaction over the series of welfare actions over the last two years and said the digitalization of activities through an App is an exemplary work.
• Shri. Sunil Kr. Aich (FE- 343) while acknowledging the excellent work done by the Association also called attention to the maintenance of green verge and the broken or destroyed seating spaces. He also emphasized on having a proper parking discipline in each lane.
• Shri N.K. Bose (FE-28) thanked the President’s and Secretary’s Report as an admirable effort. He also recalled the activities viz. Old Citizens’ meeting, Picnic, Yatra etc. fresh and unique initiative.
• Shri Shailendra Singh (FE-330) first showed a two-minute running picture screening the inauguration program of the new renovated Community building. He emphatically stated that the digitization of activities through an App has not only brought a new feather to our cap but Association shall be able to reap the advantage in future.
At the end of the discussion since no formal resolution was received, the Annual Report of the Secretary, along with the Audited Accounts statement was proposed for approval by Shri. Sunil Kr. Aich and seconded by Shri Shyamaleswar Roy Chowdhury which the General Body accepted unanimously. President, Shri Ray reminded that institution is always more than an individual. He expressed his gratification for the togetherness and untiring support extended by the residents to the Association while discharging their responsibility.
President Shri Ray next took up the fourth item ‘Appointment of Auditor’. Shri. V. P. Goel proposed the name of M. Das and Associates as Auditor to be continued for the year 2021-22, which was seconded by Shri Manas Ghosh Vice President. It was decided unanimously.
Since there was no previous notice in writing hence the fifth agenda ‘to transact any other business brought forward by any member’ was not required.
Regarding the sixth agenda ‘to approve provisional budget for the year 2021-22’, Treasurer Shri Goel placed his budget on being asked by the President. After listening to the short discussion by Shri Goel, the proposed budget was approved by the members.
Eventually President Shri Ray took up the seventh and final agenda ‘to declare and adopt the recommendation of the Election Panel- formation of the Executive Committee for the period 21-23’. The name of all the Office Bearers and EC Members were read out and introduced to the members. Shri Ray declared the new Executive Committee as very competent with balanced combination of skill and experience. Shri Ray then formally announced the handing over of the baton to Shri Susil Kumar Chaudhuri as new President and Dr. Pallav Bhattacharya as new Secretary.
At the end, President Shri Gautam Ray appreciated all the members and conveyed his sincere thanks for participating in the memorable virtual Annual General Meeting. He also appealed to the members to upheld the spirit of venturing jointly in all works and ended the meeting with a pledge to serve the Block to the best of our ability.
(GautamRay) President (KallolKantiDutta) Secretary
