Following were present :-
Gen Shankar Roychowdhury (Retd). -SRC Patron
ACM Arup Raha.(Retd). -ARH President Mr. RK Dutta. -RKD VP- NER
Maj Gen Arun Roye ( Retd ) – AR VP Mr. Aniruddha Lahiri – AL VP (Finance)
Maj Gen S N Mukherjee (Retd). -SNM Executive Director
Brig NS Mukherjee (Retd). -NSM Jt Secy & Director Admin
Prof Sunder Munshi – SM Chairman, Editorial Board, CJGA Co-opted for GC Mtg
Dr. Harish Mehta. – HM Editor in Chief, CJGA- Co-opted for Mtg
Mr. Asok Dasgupta. – ADG Co Opted Member
Amb S Chakravarti – SC Co-Opted Member
Mr. Vikash Singh Sengar. – VS Co Opted Member
Agenda Points
1 The following Agenda points were given out by the VP
- Passing of Accounts.
- Details of Round Tabled held
- Update Energy Seminar .
- Update Cyber Terrorism.
- Update on Research Papers
- Feedback on CJCA.
- Any Other Point
DISCUSSIONS AND DECISIONS
Proceedings
- Agenda/ Item 1- Presentation of Accounts by AL
VP (Finance) AL, distributed the profit and loss accounts and balance sheet, with recommendations for financial year 2018-2019 covering the period 01 Apr 2018 to 24 Aug 2018. AL explained the income and expenditure of accounts under specific headings and indicated that a NETT LOSS of Rs 45052.00 had occurred insofar as the earnings vis-s vis the expenditure. AL also informed all of the financial status of CENERS-K as on 24 Aug 2018. Having made a detailed presentation he highlighted that:-
(a) Linear Projection of Qrts 1,2,3 & 4 of 2018-19 will not be able to build slated corpuS.
(b) The Cconomic Summit can change the scene somewhat in Feb 2019..
(c) CENERS -K continues to depend on interest from FDs, Economic Summit and donations
from members.
(d) Last summit contributed 7.71 lakhs CENERS of which The Calcutta Dialogue expenditure was met and the rest went into Corpus. The Corpus on date was in the region of Rs 71, 67,000.00
The cash in bank was in the region of Rs 3,40,000.00 approx
(e) The CORPUS was not sufficient . To meet aggressive investment imperatives CENERS-K needed to create new revenue streams. These were sale of research papers, journals, advertisements and more earning events.
(f) In the short/ medium term ramp up surplus from economic summit.
(g) Earmark disproportionate amount from surplus each year for new earning initiatives like
e-journal, marketing research products and varied consultancy projects of CENERS -K.
Discussion
- There was a lively discussion amongst council members as to ways in which the organisation could raise sufficient funds to carry on its yearly planned activities. AL emphasised
that the corporate sector was the main source of raising funds. Therefore issues taken up by
us must be of relevance to corporates and help them in achieving growth , enhance their brand
image and provide solutions as well as generate vistas for new markets. Boards and Management
would open their purse strings for funding/ sponsoring projects most willingly if it merged with their missions..
- AL once again reiterated that it would make sense if a formal/ informal get together can be
organised by CENERS-K for CEOs of large conglomerates and organisations and a professional
presentation made to solicit corporate membership and also arrange for funding of projects
which the corporates identified and were willing to out source to us for research and consultancy.
- SRC made a basic point that in developed countries, the corporate sector establish and finance
Think Tanks and outsource the research and survey as well as solution seeking to such organisation. SRC wondered if we could make a pitch to some leading corporates to fund our organisation on a regular and continuous basis as a Corporate Member. We could provide consultancy to them on issues where we have expertise.
- AL mentioned that large and successful companies put aside as much as two to three percent
of their profits for investments in CSR.
- AR added that we must interact with corporates to explore the possibilities of establishing
Research Chairs to fund our Research Subjects which has been finalised for the activity year 2018- 2019. Most subjects are beneficial to the corporates who are looking for expanding
their operations in East & North East India.
- NSM stated that we must find out the exact compliance required to be completed to seek State
and Central Governments funding for specific projects which are rolled out by them .
- HM stated that we should get our journal accredited and indexed by Government Bodies , Universities, and Professional Organisations so that we can then explore the possibilities of offering
subscription to both domestic and international organisations, libraries and educational as well as professional bodies. This could also be a good source of income.
Decision
- The accounts were unanimously passed without any observation. It was decided that following
steps would should be taken :-
(a) VP (Finance) was requested to organise and conduct a formal get together of eminent CEOs to make a CENERS -K presentation with a view to persuading them to become corporate members and establish and fund Research Chairs. This could be done in AOI.
(b) Inform participants about CENERS -K activities and showcase the think tank’s ability to
provide consultancy and necessary solutions in order that the companies can enlarge their
commercial activity in East and North East states.
(c) Ascertain exemptions allowed to Societies such as ours under various sections of the
Income Tax Act. Undertake to declare CENERS-K as a Research Organisation for Tax exemption purposes.
(d) Explore other avenues for raising funds and obtain sponsorship for our various activities.
(e) The Editorial Board in consultation with SNM to ascertain the steps required to be taken to obtain accreditation and indexing of our journal in order to increase its circulation and acceptability as a journal of credibility and repute which can add value to the subscriber.
(f) It was also decided that AL will take up the cause of sanction of an FCRA account No for CENERS-K. For purposes of FCRA, the Directors would be the President, the VP Finance and the Secretary cum Treasurer
Agenda/ Item 2 -Details of Round tables Held by- AR
- AR stated that the First Round Table, on ACTING EAST THROUGH KOLKATA was held on 26 th June 2018, in the conference room of ICCR. It was well attended, by the academia, State Govt and private and Public sector personae. Whereas most missions aimed for the Round Table were met, it was clear that unless the Govt of West Bengal undertook aggressive measures, to build infrastructure aqnd a sense of maritime business, Kolkata would find it difficult to become the gateway. States further South were already well ahead of West Bengal in this regard. Total expenditure was around Rs 33,000.00 against the Rs 50,000.00 allotted for the event.
- AR stated that the second ROUND TABLE, slated to be held alongwith Calcutta University got Converted into an International Conference with Professors of University of Warsaw also participating. CENERS-K was well represented both amongst the speakers and audience. Calcutta University was the lead.
- AL stated that the conduct of the seminar by the International Foreign Policy Studies Department left much to be desired. The environment was shabby. He opined that CENERS-K should not hold any further collaborative projects with them as it may well lower our image. SRC however added a word of advice that such seminars were targeted at student community and therefore one will have to accept a bit of ad hocism as well as a liberated environment. AR said that the CU had some prominent faculty, some of whom were our members. We were also looking for their assistance in our Research Papers. He suggested that in any future collaborative ventures with institutions like JU and CU, CENERS-K take the lead as main Conductor at a location of our own choosing. We would need to pay for such locations.
- AR was requested to gather all available material that was fielded at the seminar from the University authorities for our archives.
Decision.
- It was decided that we would continue to collaborate with the Calcutta University and JU as it was a well known Academic Institution of international repute. However we could certainly discretely guide the conducting staff in maintaining a certain level of excellence in overall presentation
Agenda Item-3 -Update — Energy Seminar by ADG and VS
- ADG gave a detailed update on progress made for conduct of the Energy seminar to be held in
Shillong from 14 to 16 Nov 2018. Following have been finalised:-
(a) Concept Paper.
(b) Draft Programme.
(c) Letters of invitation have been forwarded to all concerned.
(d) Few participating GC Members and Co Opted Members involved in the Programme were required to attend the seminar at Shillong at CENERS -K expense.RKD being the VP NER is requested to attend being the chief Coordinator
(e) VP (Ops) Lt Gen JRM has been requested to tie up most operational and admin issues at Shillong by personal interaction with Govt Officials . He shall be reimbursed expenses incurred.
( f) Sponsorship of Rupees Five lakh have been received so far from PSU, mainly die efforts of RKD
(g) Additional funds are being managed and ADG stated that a meagre surplus may be
available after all expenditure for the seminar has been met.
(h) ADG stated that all members will be kept informed as and when confirmations are received from the VIP invitees, panelists, key speakers , other participants and main sponsors about their final itinerary.
Attachments of Concept Paper, Draft Programme and list of panelists and speakers are part of this minutes for perusal.
Decision
- The following decisions were taken :-
- a) SRC stated that he shall decide later on attendance.
- b) Participants may take their families at their own expense.
- c) Non participants too may accompany proviso they attend Seminar on 16th CENERS- K shall make arrangements for ticketing well in advance, and provide subsidised board and lodging in Shillong.
- d) A delegation is required to meet the Governor of Meghalaya in Kolkata Rajbhavan. SNM shall coordinate
Agenda/ Item 4- Update Seminar on Cyber Terrorism- AL and NSM
- AL stated the following:-
(a) Concept Paper has been finalised.
(b) The venue, date , timing and the modalities for the conduct has been
finalised. The seminar will be held at Lalit Great Eastern Hotel at Kolkata on 16 Feb 2018.
(d) The lead speakers and panelists for each of the three sessions have been shortlisted.
(e) The event will be jointly conducted by CENERS -K and Bengal Chambers of Commerce and Industry
(f) A sum of approximately Rupees Fifty lakhs is targeted to be raised as sponsorship from
major Info Technology companies, both domestic and international.
(g) A final coordination meeting is scheduled to be held at Bengal Chambers of Commerce premises on 18/19 September 2018 to be presided over by President ACM Raha where all tentative initiatives and planning will be discussed and approval taken. Thereafter the invites will be rolled out and final bookings etc locked. Since ample time is available, yet another GC meeting will subsequently be held to iron out any shortcomings that may arise in the interim.
Discussion
- AR stated that NTRO and the three services should be actively involved as speakers. AL answered that they are being contacted. SRC said that national interests need to be kept in mind.
ARH said that he will contact those needed to come from the Govt side.
- AL stated that he would be using the good offices of the Patron and the President for maximum effect.
Decision
- It was decided that the seminar should raise a minimum of 25 lakhs, Nett. for the Corpus.
Agenda/ Item 5 Update—Research Papers – SC
- SC informed all that a lot of preparatory work has been done to formulate a detailed resume
for the Research Papers giving out in clear terms the Terms of Reference, length of content,
time lines for submission of papers as also the process of registering EOI by scholars and academics. The entire resume is being posted on the net and is also being circulated to all our panelled and known Think Tanks, Universities, Academic Institutions and Organisations to ensure a wide reach.
SC stated that H\VP and him were monitoring the entire project and would keep all informed
periodically. He further stated that Ms Shiuli Chaudhuri, Executive Assistant to HVP, had vide an
e-mail dated 11 September 2018 posted the resume for information of all CENERS -K members.
An attachment of the resume forms part of the minutes.
Discussion
- AR stated that he had provided some eminent names to the lead group for follow up with EOIs.
He had also contacted the Chairman India Health Foundation, and director ICSSR- NEHU to provide names of some good researchers in the field.
- AL said that once this is locked in he would go to the Corporates with a cafeteria approach to raise chairs for the various themes.
Decision
- It was decided to lock in the various researchers with a contract by end Sep, and provide AL with the names and theme EOIs to the Corporates for funds.
- AR was requested to enlist some eminent members of the academia for mentoring purposes.
Agenda/ Item 6 – Update on Publishing of CJGA- SM and HM
- SM informed all that the Editorial Board was in the process of preparing a draft perspective
document to cover all aspect of publishing our journal. This document will be the SOP
for publication and among other issues will cover :-
(a) Charter.
(b) Printing and Formatting.
(c) Financial Requirements.
(d) Periodicity of publication.
(e) Accreditation and Indexing.
(f) Process of acceptance of Articles.
(g) Honorarium to be paid to authors.
(h ) Marketing and Soliciting Subscription.
(j) Generating resource by way of advertising.
(k) Function and Charter of Duties of all members of the Editorial Board.
Discussions
- The Editorial Board was complimented on doing a commendable job. It was stated that there needs to be more focus on NER matters and more authors need to be recruited from the NER.
AR stated that he shall try and get some more names. The researchers and Journal authors could be common but with different subjects and issues. AR stated that military and other Govt Officers who have served for long in NER could be co-opted.
Decision
- It was decided that the Perspective Document be presented at the next GC meeting.
There being no other point the meeting was declared closed.
Jt Secy & Director Admin