CENERS-K AGM was held virtually, on GOOGLE MEET Platform, hosted by the Executive Director, on 28 June 2020 at 1130 hours.
Attendance
2. Following Members attended the meeting:-
a) In Chair – ACM Arup Raha (Retd)-ARH – President
b) Lt Gen – JR Mukherjee (Retd) -JRM – Vice President (Operations)
c) Maj Gen Arun Roye (Retd) -AR – Vice President ( Finance, Planning, Policy Implementation and Administration)
d) Maj Gen SN Mukherjee (Retd) -SNM – Executive Director
e) Mr Aniruddha Lahiri – AL – Vice President (Industry)
f) Mr RK Dutta – RKD – Vice President- ( NER ) g) Brig N S Mukherjee – NSM – Secretary and Treasurer
h) Mr Asok Dasgupta – ADG – Member
g) Dr Suman K Mukerjee – SKM – Member
h) Dr Harish Mehta – HM – Member (Journal CJGA)
i) Dr Surinder Munshi – SM – Member
k) Mr Satyaki Sen – SS – Member
l) Air Cmde B C Talukdar – BCT – Member
m) Mr SL Dugar – SLD – Member, CA n) Mr Manoj Jalan – MJ – Member
- o) Mr Amit Kiran Deb – AKD – GC Member Liaison – Govt
Total Members Present- 16
Members by Proxy
- Following Members were not present but gave their Proxies to various members, if required :-
- a) Ms Karuna Singh – KS
- b) Ms Arpana Dutt – AD
- c) Ms Mandira Ghosh – MG
- d) Mr Vikas Singh Sengar – VSS
- e) Mr Ravi Todi – RT
- f) Mr Ajit Nandkeyolar – AN
- g) Ms Anuradha Singh – AS
- h) Maj Anil Bhalla – AB
- i) Col Ashish Das – CAD
- j) Prof J K Ray – JKR
- k) Mr Gautam Sureka – GS
- l) Prof Siddharth Das Gupta – SDG
Members by Proxy- 12
Calling to Order- Issues of AGM 2019 and Welcome Address by President
- The President welcomed members and called the AGM to order having confirmed that quorum of 14 members were present. The Present also granted leave of absence to the General Body members not present due to personal reasons and / or being outstation members.
- President drew the members’ attention to the brief “snapshot ” forwarded by VP AR under the heading “Annual Report 2019-2020—A Snapshot and Conduct of Scheduled Events.”He stated that CENERS-K successfully conducted all scheduled events that were planned for the Activity Period July 2019- May 2020. The President mentioned that the name, prestige and credibility of our Organisation had visibly brightened and there were much more references about our RTDs and Seminars in the press and media as also in select Intellectual circles. Our recommendations and advisories continue to be forwarded to select Government Agencies and Ministries.
- President also mentioned that VP AR had circulated the Annual Balance Sheet of Accounts duly audited by our Chartered Accountant, to all members prior to our holding the AGM. He was sanguine that members must have perused the Accounts and would therefore be able to raise queries, if any, during the passing of accounts.
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President thereafter requested VP AR to proceed with the further conduct of the AGM as per the Agenda Points circulated to members by the Secretary.
AGENDA POINT I- AUDITORS REPORT OF CENERS-K ACCOUNTS- 2019-2020
The VP AR stated that he assumed all members had gone through the Accounts circulated and he asked if anyone had any observations or queries. He emphasised that the Accounts that were proposed for passing was as it stood on 31 March 2020. There was also a balance Sheet as on 25 June 2020, which was just for information of all members. There being no queries/ observations from any member, VP AR read out the Resolution on Adoption of Accounts as follows:-
” Resolved that the balance sheet of CENERS-K as at 31 March 2020, statement of the income and expenditure of the Organisation i.e.CENERS-K for the financial year ended 31 March 2020 together with the Notes annexed to the Auditors Report to the members and the Report of the GC Committee, both dated 27 June 2020 be and hereby approved and adopted .”
President asked the members to propose and second the Resolution. Prof SKM proposed and Brig NSM seconded passing of the Resolution. Resolution was thereafter passed unanimously.
AGENDA POINT II – APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR FOR CENERS-K FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 2020-2021.
- VP AR stated that the CENERS-K has received a consent letter from Ms S L Dugar and Associates, Chartered Accountants, who are the current Auditors of the Organisation. to be reappointed as the Auditor for another year at the same terms and conditions as earlier. VP thereafter read out the Ordinary Resolution on the Appointment of Auditor as follows :-
” Resolved that Ms SL Dugar and Associates, Kolkata- Regn No.- 054703 be and hereby appointed as the Auditors of CENERS-K to hold such office for a period of one year from the conclusion of this AGM, subject to the ratification by the General Body Members of this AGM, at the same remuneration of ₹ 10,000/- plus GST as applicable and reimbursement of travel and out of pocket expenses incurred in connection with carrying out audit.”
The Resolution was proposed by Executive Director SNM and Seconded by ADG. The Resolution was put to vote and carried unanimously.AGENDA POINT III- WELCOMING NEW MEMBERS
- President welcomed the following new members:-
A) Mr. Gautam Sureka. (GS)
B) Prof Sabyasachi Dasgupta (SD).
C) Prof Siddarth Dasgupta (SDG).
D) Mr Pratim R Bose (PRB).
E) Mr Pratim Ghose (PG). - F) Mr Dipankar Borah(DB).
The members were earlier granted leave of absence from participating in the AGM today. All members attending congratulated the new members and expressed the hope that they would actively participate in all of the Organisation’s endeavours.
AGENDA POINT IV- REVIEW OF MEMBERSHIP YEARLY RENEWAL FEE
- ADG stated that not ALL member paid their annual renewal of membership fee. He suggested that better dividends may accrue if left to an individual member’s sensitivity. He was sanguine that more monies would be forthcoming if it was made voluntary. The majority attending the AGM wanted the minutes to record that the fee be made voluntary.
- VP AR stated that membership admission fees from 2020 onwards has been raised to Rs 7000/- as per AGM decision taken in 2019. New members desirous of joining may please be intimated so.
- The recommendation of the President ARH was to have the review done by the GC keeping in mind the feelings of the majority of the members attending the AGM to make the renewal, voluntary be Approved. The same was thereafter approved by majority vote.
AGENDA POINT -V- REVIEW OF RESEARCH PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN BY CENERS-K AND THE WAY FORWARD
VP AR asked Secretary NSM to inform members of the present status of the Research Project undertaken by our Organisation. Secretary, NSM stated that members were aware that a Research Team of three members headed by HVP had selected nine subjects which could be considered for carrying out original research. A presentation was made by the team to the GC Members which subsequently selected three subjects which could be taken up as a first step towards our Research effort. SC , the Research Coordinator, screened scholars and academics. Following due process and having each step debated, deliberated and approved by the GC over a period of four GC Meetings, one of our members, PRB, recommended a Guwahati based Consulting Firm, named Irravati Research Communication Centre LLP. They were thereafter commissioned to carry out Primary Original Research on two of the nine selected projects. These are :-
a) Measures Necessary for Northeast India to Realise its Untapped Tourism Potential.
b) Measures Necessary for Improving Healthcare in North-East India with reference to National and Global Standards.- A MoU was signed with the Consulting Firm and an expenditure of Rupees two lacs was set aside for taking the Research forward. As per convention of such Research Commissioning, the funds were to be released in four tranches for each project. The Firm was required to submit a Inception Report and study outline within thirty days. The Firm accordingly submitted the Report and Outline, within the stipulated time and the same was peer reviewed and, after intimating remarks of the Peer Group to the Firm, a first tranche of ₹15,000/- was released for each research to the Firm. The Firm submitted an outline project research which was sent to all members for comments and observations. These were passed onto the Firm, who stated that they would correct the deficiencies in further research. However, as we all know, all activities of Research, especially field work by the Firm came to a standstill wef 24 Mar 2020 due to Pandemic Covid19.
17, The Firm has informed that it may not be possible for them to stick to the timelines as per the MoU, and commencement of the Research cannot also be time lined as of now. They therefore submitted that due circumstances beyond their control, the MoU could be mutually cancelled and they would return the money that they had received. Alternatively, we wait for the environment to be near normal and we could then resume Research with new time lines. In the latter option, the Firm would continue its Research on many facets of the Research which can be taken forward by way of interaction with individuals / institutions and other such Research Organisation as well as Academic Universities etc by taking help of the internet as much as possible. Field visits and personal interaction could follow later.
- President ARH stated that the Research Project was undertaken after a lot of deliberations. Although there were some reservations about the terms of references outlined by the Firm in their Initial Report, the overall consensus was to take the Research forward. The quality of original research cannot be opined based on just the outline. In any case the observations were informed to the Firm who would obviously keep them in mind. He therefore suggested rather than take a hasty step of scrapping the project , the same could be reviewed by the new Governing Council which was to be elected by this AGM.
DECISION
19. The Recommendation of the President to review the MOU and the Research Projects by the new GC Members stood enabled, unanimously and approved.AGENDA POINT- VI- SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR THE PERIOD JULY 2020- MAY 2021
- VP AR brought up the point that our Corporate Members donations be sent to CENERS-K directly. There was some change in the last two years which created anomalies in this issue. VP RKD also said that in future, the Corporate members from the oil sector can be asked to donate directly to the CENERS-K, as per past practice
- DECISION – All members present decided to revert to old practice.
- VP AR said that we need to rework our arrangements on paperwork, sweat equity, sponsorships and execution with our partners. In a recent Seminar, CENERS-K, wrote out cheques worth nearly 10 Lakhs, without deducting the TDS. To deduct the TDS we need to have a TAG number. Further, this would increase our clerical work tremendously. Also, with sponsors depositing money in our accounts, less the TDS deducted them, means that we send requests for sponsorship, an invoice and, a receipt. At the end of it all, we need to follow up on getting TDS certificates from the sponsors. VP AL stated that he ran the seminar all by himself, and this paperwork could not be avoided. VP AR requested VP AL for permission to speak with DG BCC&I, after VP AL had spoken to him to consider our request favourably. VP AL agreed to this.
- DECISION AR would let the GC know the result of his discussion with BCC&I, by end Jul 2020.
- On asking if anyone had any more points, VP AL brought out that the MoA of our organisation be circulated to all members. VP AR stated that in the past all new members were asked to come to the office and peruse the same. However keeping in view that the present circumstances make it difficult for members to do so, VP AR stated that a scanned Copy would be sent to all members. VP AR further stated that the MoA when sent needs to be read alongwith important Extracts of MoA and resolutions taken in various AGMs and GC meetings, already held with members.
- decision All members would be sent a scanned copy of MoA.
AGENDA POINT-VII-ELECTIONS TO THE POSTS OF PRESIDENT;GOVERNING COUNCIL MEMBERS ; NOMINATION TO POST OF EDITOR(S) OF THE CALCUTTA JOURNAL OF GLOBAL AFFAIRS, AND APPOINTING OF DIRECTORS.
30.. On direction of the President ARH, VP AR proceeded to conduct elections for electing a new President and members of a new Governing Council . As per convention all present members of GC and The President ARH resigned, having finished their tenure. The same was ensured vocally by all affected. As Protem GC member VP AR announced that no one had offered his/her candidature for any post in the Organisation. Names of RKD for the post of President were proposed by some members but he declined. Names of HM,AL and ADG were proposed, in turn, for the posts of VP (F,P,PI&A),Secretary and Executive Director, but all three declined all the posts offered. Eventually, AR remarked that members were reluctant to take on honorary posts and therefore there was no option but to renominate, some members after persuading them to give their consent.
- AR proposed the name of Lt Gen JR Mukherjee as President. Brig NS Mukherjee Seconded the proposal. There being no other candidate the Proposal was put to vote and carried unanimously.
- AR proposed the name of ACM ARH as Governing Council Special Member Emeritus. This designation was considered appropriate for a member who had held the post of President and who apart from being very active had also informed members that he would continue being an active member. AR stated that his being on the GC would not only ensure continuity, but also lend to the image of the organisation. His proposal was Seconded by JRM. ACM was persuaded to give his consent, which was given .
The proposal was put to vote and passed unanimously. - Brig NSM proposed the name of AR to continue as Vice President ( Finance, Planning, Policy Implementation and Administration). The same was seconded ADG. The same was put to vote and passed unanimously.
34, AR proposed the name of Mr RKD as Vice President (North Eastern States) a post which he was holding in the just vacated GC. The proposal was seconded by NSM. There being no other candidate, the proposal was
put to vote and carried unanimously.
- ARproposed the name of AL to be renominated as Vice President (Industry). However AL declined. AR then proposed the name of SKM as Member (Industry). SKM was persuaded to give his consent. Having obtained SKM consent the proposal was seconded by NSM. There being no other candidate, the proposal was put to vote and unanimously carried.
- AR proposed the name of an SNM to continue as Executive Director. Proposal was seconded by NSM. There being no other candidate the proposal was put to vote and carried unanimously.
- AR proposed the name of NSM as Secretary and Treasurer. The proposal was Seconded by ADG. There being no other candidate the proposal was put to vote and carried unanimously.
- AR proposed the name of AKD as Member( Liaison and Coordination Government Agencies). The proposal was Seconded by SNM and there being no other candidate the proposal was put to vote and carried unanimously.
- AR clarified that as per past practice the appointment of Editor and EB members was to be nominated by the Governing Council. A decision had been taken by GC to Nominate two Editor(s), and few interested members of the EB, for the Calcutta Journal of Global Affairs. This was thereafter taken up. AR proposed the name of ARH as the Chairman of the EB. This was seconded by JRM.
- HM had completed nearly four years as Editor (Editor in Chief) and, as per decision taken in the GC meeting leading to the AGM, it was decided to nominate two members as Editors due to the increase in workload. AR stated that GC nominated HM as Editor Academic and SNM as Editor Publishing / Administration. HM stated that either he carries on as Editor-in-Chief, as the sole editor or he resigns from the EB. He requested his resignation be recorded.
40. HM’s resignation as Editor -in – Chief was accepted by the Protem Member, AR, which was concurred by all newly elected and present GC members. It was decided that the new GC would proceed to nominate a Editorial Board with members who could assist SNM with his job, until a willing Editor ( Academics) is found.
- The New GC nominated the new Chairman EB the new members as under:-
- A) Chairman- ACM ARH
- B) Editor – SNM
- C) Members – JRM
– JKR
– SC
– NSM
– HVP
– AL
- The Protem Member asked for permission to also include the names of nominated Directors, as under :-
- A) Director Administration – CAD
- B) Director Research – HVP
- C) Director Research Coordination – SC
- Outgoing President ARH thereafter thanked the outgoing GC and EB members for their support and cooperation and welcomed the new GC members. He wished all members good health and advised all to be careful during the lockdown period. Thereafter, he requested the incoming President JRM to say a few words.
- The new President JRM, welcomed the new GC members and complimented all members of CENERS-K. He underscored the point that Members need to desist from exchanging their personal issues in a public forum like ours. He requested all members to act maturely and thrash out personal issues between themselves, privately. This is all the more so, as various Whatsapp groups have been formed. Similarly e mailing groups too are in the offing. JRM requested all administrators of various groups to control these personal aspects on their platforms.
45. There being no other point the AGM was declared closed by Secretary NSM.
SD–X-X-X
( Brig N S Mukherjee )