BOMBAY SAPPERS ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF NINTH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
HELD ON 24 AUG 2007 AT GYMNASTIC HALL, BEG & CENTRE, PUNE
GENERAL
1. The Ninth Annual General Meeting (AGM) of The Bombay Sappers Association was held on 24 Aug 2007 at 1330 hrs at Gymnastic Hall, BEG & Centre, Kirkee. The meeting was initiated by the Secy–Cum–Treasurer Col Ashun Bahl, Dy Comdt, BEG & Centre but was adjourned due to lack of quorum and re-convened after two hours at 1530 hrs and lasted till 1630 hrs. A total of 410 members, consisting 60 officers, 70 JCOs and 280 Other Ranks including retired Bombay Sappers attended the meeting.
2. On calling the meeting to order, the Chairman, Lt Gen N Thamburaj, SM & Col Comdt of Bombay Sappers, in his opening remarks welcomed all the BSA members to the Ninth Annual General Meeting(AGM). The Chairman said that he was indeed honoured to be addressing this BSA Annual General Meeting for the first time after taking over as Colonel Commandant.
3. He informed the house that the AGM is convened yearly to consider changes in the BSA and approve the Income & Expdr statement and Statement of accounts duly audited by Charted Accountant for the year 2006 – 2007, which had been circulated to members. He also asked all to express their views, on the proposed budget for year 2007 – 2008 freely.
4. He informed the AGM that the membership state of BSA has improved but there was a scope to improve further. The Chairman said that he was happy to inform the house that the membership had reached to 33,250 and the corpus had risen to Rs. 2.05 Crore. This corpus is growing every year, which, he said, would enable us to give maximum benefits to larger number of members.
5. Thereafter, the Secy-Cum-Treasurer Col Ashun Bahl, Dy Comdt BEG & Centre, in his introductory remarks formally welcomed the Chairman Lt Gen N Thamburaj, SM, The Management Committee members and the serving and retired BSA members to the Ninth AGM of the Association.
AGENDA POINTS
6. The agenda points listed for the day were :-
(a) Activities of BSA 2006 - 2007.
(b) Review Budget Expenditure.
(c) Budget for 2007 - 2008
(d) Discussion & Misc Points :-
(i) BSA – Punjab Chapter.
(ii) Financial Powers.
(iii) Points received from the units
(iv) Points from the members.
(e) Election of Management Committee
FINANCIAL STATE OF BSA
7. He mentioned that the financial state of BSA has been improving day by day, but there was a need and scope for further improvement. As on 31 Jul 2007 the corpus of BSA was Rs 2.05 Crore.
8. Details of Corpus-
|
01 Jan 2000 |
3,10,144.00 |
|
01 Jan 2001 |
16,21,241.00 |
|
01 Jan 2002 |
55,69,495.00 |
|
01 Jan 2003 |
1,07,84,490.00
|
|
01 Jul 2004 |
1,56,30,109.00 |
|
01 Jan 2005 |
1,69,15,859.00 |
|
01 Jan 2006 |
1,94,58,272.00 |
|
01 Jan 2007 |
1,96,33,559.00 |
|
01 Jul 2007 |
2,05,51,869.00 |
9. Membership Details - The house was informed about the membership details of the BSA, which was as under : -
30 Jan 2007 31 Jul 2007 Last six month
Offrs 1016 1032 16
JCOs 1902 1933 31
Ors 30126 30285 159
WELFARE SCHEMES 2006-2007
10. Education Scholarship - During the year 2006-07, Rs 1,64,700/-education scholarships were given to 244 children of Bombay Sappers. The details are as under :-
|
LIST OF EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP 2006 – 2007 SUMMARY ORS |
|||||||||||
|
Class |
Application received |
Vacancy Allotted |
Recommended by board |
Scholarship per head |
Amt allotted |
Amt to be disbursed |
Cut of % |
|
|||
|
5 |
43 |
32 |
32 |
500 |
16000 |
16000 |
78.40% |
|
|||
|
6 |
65 |
32 |
32 |
500 |
16000 |
16000 |
82.80% |
|
|||
|
7 |
65 |
32 |
32 |
500 |
16000 |
16000 |
81.97% |
|
|||
|
8 |
58 |
32 |
32 |
700 |
22400 |
22400 |
80.00% |
|
|||
|
9 |
39 |
16 |
16 |
800 |
12800 |
12800 |
83.40% |
|
|||
|
10 |
44 |
16 |
17 |
1000 |
16000 |
17000 |
80.26% |
|
|||
|
11 |
08 |
16 |
08 |
1000 |
16000 |
8000 |
65.33% |
|
|||
|
12 |
12 |
16 |
12 |
1000 |
16000 |
12000 |
67.20% |
|
|||
|
TOTAL |
334 |
192 |
181 |
- |
1,31,200 |
120200 |
|
|
|||
|
JCOs |
|||||||||||
|
5 |
04 |
08 |
04 |
500 |
4000 |
2000 |
90.00% |
|
|||
|
6 |
27 |
08 |
08 |
500 |
4000 |
4000 |
87.70% |
|
|||
|
7 |
24 |
08 |
08 |
500 |
4000 |
4000 |
92.15% |
|
|||
|
8 |
30 |
08 |
08 |
700 |
5600 |
5600 |
89.70% |
|
|||
|
9 |
21 |
04 |
04 |
800 |
3200 |
3200 |
88.40% |
|
|||
|
10 |
27 |
04 |
04 |
1000 |
4000 |
4000 |
87.46% |
|
|||
|
11 |
10 |
04 |
04 |
1000 |
4000 |
4000 |
77.00% |
|
|||
|
12 |
18 |
04 |
04 |
1000 |
4000 |
4000 |
86.00% |
|
|||
|
TOTAL |
161 |
48 |
44 |
- |
32800 |
30800 |
|
|
|||
|
OFFRS |
|||||||||||
|
5 |
02 |
04 |
02 |
500 |
2000 |
1000 |
90.60% |
|
|||
|
6 |
02 |
04 |
02 |
500 |
2000 |
1000 |
74.00% |
|
|||
|
7 |
04 |
04 |
04 |
500 |
2000 |
2000 |
81.90% |
|
|||
|
8 |
03 |
04 |
03 |
700 |
2800 |
2100 |
74.20% |
|
|||
|
9 |
03 |
02 |
02 |
800 |
1600 |
1600 |
84.00% |
|
|||
|
10 |
02 |
02 |
02 |
1000 |
2000 |
2000 |
82.00% |
|
|||
|
11 |
02 |
02 |
02 |
1000 |
2000 |
2000 |
79.80% |
|
|||
|
12 |
03 |
02 |
02 |
1000 |
2000 |
2000 |
74.40% |
|
|||
TOTAL |
21 |
24 |
19 |
- |
16400 |
13700 |
|
|
|||
|
G.Total |
516 |
264 |
244 |
- |
1,80,400 |
164700 |
|
|
|||
|
|||||||||||
-4-
CUT – OFF PERCENTAGES 2006-07
|
Sl |
Class |
ORS |
CUT OF % |
JCO |
CUT OF % |
OFFR |
CUT OF % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1. |
V |
32 |
78.40% |
04 |
90.00% |
02 |
90.60% |
|
2. |
VI |
32 |
82.80% |
08 |
87.70% |
02 |
74.00% |
|
3. |
VII |
32 |
81.97% |
08 |
92.15% |
04 |
81.90% |
|
4. |
VIII |
32 |
80.00% |
08 |
89.70% |
03 |
74.20% |
|
5. |
IX |
16 |
83.40% |
04 |
88.40% |
02 |
84.00% |
|
6. |
X |
17 |
80.26% |
04 |
87.46% |
02 |
82.00% |
|
7. |
XI |
08 |
65.33% |
04 |
77.00% |
02 |
79.80% |
|
8. |
XII |
12 |
67.20% |
04 |
86.00% |
02 |
74.40% |
11. Distress Grant – Under Distress grant scheme for financial year 2006– 07 Rs. 1,50,000/- lakhs was budgeted but due to large natural calamities application recd were more hence Rs. 2,39,000/- were distributed to 60 distressed members. The Vice Chairman, Brig VK Bhatt, VSM, SM requested honorable members and Commanding Officers to forward only such cases for distress grant where no help is rendered from Government or any other agencies. The Vice Chairman stressed on the point that distress grant is meant for those who have been affected by natural calamities.
12. Sports Scholarship – Under sports scholarship for financial year 2006 – 2007, Rs. 20,000/-were budgeted. Rs 5,000/- each to wards of following four members of BSA were given.
(a) Nb/Sub RK Srivastava - RS.5000.00 (116 ER)
(b) Sub Mahesh Chandra - RS.5000.00(TB-I)
(c) Col Ashun Bahl - RS.5000.00(GP HQ)
(d) Nb/Sub Tuk Bahadur - RS.5000.00(TB-I)
13. The Secretary confirmed from the members that they had received a copy of the minutes of Eighth AGM held on 07 Jul 2006 through news letter and BSA Website. Some members said that they had not received the same by post to which they were informed that the same has been sent but might have got misplaced in transit or due to non availability of the latest postal address.
14. The house was asked if there was a need to continue with the newsletter keeping in view the avoidable expenditure involved, since a copy was always available on the BSA website and could be viewed/downloaded as required.
15. The point was debated, it was decided that the publication be discontinued and copy placed on the website. The amount saved would be utilised for more welfare activities.
Passing of Balance Sheet for the year 2006 – 07
16. Balance sheet as on 31 Mar 2007 duly audited was displayed on the screen and adequate copies placed in the house for consideration by the members. The income & expenditure statement for the period 01 Apr 2006 to 31 Mar 2007 and Receipt & Payment Account for the period 01 Apr 2006 to 31 Mar 2007 was also put up to the house for consideration and discussion.
INCOME A/C AS ON 01 APR 06 TO 31 MAR 07
___________________________________________________
Particulars as 01 Apr 06 to 31 Mar 2007
By Interest – Education Loan 34,310.00
By Interest on FD 14,88,000.00
By Gurnam Boys Hostel 3,853.00
By Education Scholarship 2,500.00
By Sports Scholarship 5,000.00
By Commission Received 30.00
By Commission on FD 18,907.00
By Duplication Charges Recd 600.00
By Incentive 42,222.22
By Donation Received 60,200.00
Total : 16,55,622.22
EXPENDITURE A/C FOR THE PERIOD 01 APR 06 TO 31 MAR 07
Particulars |
|
as 01 Apr 06 to 31 Mar 2007
|
|
|
To Salary |
|
83,000.00 |
|
|
To Telephone Exp |
|
5,958.00 |
|
|
To Computer Maint/Website |
|
22,891.00 |
|
|
To Distress Grant |
|
2,39,000.00 |
|
|
To Gurnam Boys Hostel/APS BEAS |
|
13,230.00 |
|
|
To Education Scholarship |
|
1,67,200.00 |
|
|
To Sports Scholarship |
|
25,000.00 |
|
|
To Memento |
|
1,00,000.00 |
|
|
To Printing & Stationary |
|
13,940.00 |
|
|
To Audit Fees |
|
12,000.00 |
|
|
To Postage and Newsletter |
|
1,11,915.00 |
|
|
To Misc.Expenditure |
|
7,18,293.00 |
* * |
|
To Improvement of website |
|
2,500.00 |
|
|
To Membership Card |
|
11,648.00 |
|
|
To Grant to NOK Martyrs |
|
10,000.00 |
|
|
To Depreciation |
|
83,772.07 |
|
|
To Excess of income over expenditure |
|
35,275.15 |
|
|
Total |
|
16,55,622.22 |
|
** Details as under :
* Loan to Gurnam Boys Hostel - 5,00,000/-
* Improvement of Sapper Sarai - 1,96,522/-
* Expdr incurred on Extra ordinary meet on 31 Jan 07 - 6,806/-
* Maint of BSA office - 14,965/-
BALANCE SHEET FOR THE PERIOD 01 APR 2006 TO 31 MAR 2007
Liabilities ! Amount (Rs) ! Amount (RS)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRUST FUND
Opening Balance 2,00,12,956.15
Add : Life Membership Subscription 5,09,550.00
2,05,22,506.15
Corpus Fund 2,05,22,506.15
EXCESS OF INCOME OVER
Balance of last year 9,25,086.22
Add :Surplus of the year 35,275.15 9,60,361.37
TOTAL 2,14,82,867.52_
BALANCE SHEET FOR THE PERIOD 01 APR 06 TO 31 MAR 2007
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS Amount(RS)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIXED ASSETS
Lamination Machine 3,565.38
______________
COMPUTER 13,345.68
Less. Depr @ 60% 8,007.41
______________ ______________
Building 7,08,156.35
Less. Depr @ 10% 70,815.64 6,37,340.72
______________
Printer 5,120.00
Less.Dep 3,072.00 2,048.00
_______________
INVERTER 11,475.00
Less. Dep 1,147.50 10327.50
_______________
INVESTMENTS
Long Term FD 20,00,000.00
RBI Bonds 1,76,00,000.00 1,96,00,000.00
______________
CURRENT ASSETS
Edn Loan 6,14,250.09
Bank Balance 6,06,780.09
Telephone Deposit 2,000.00 _____ 12,23,030.09
_____________
Total : 2,14,82,867.52
17. Certain observations were raised by Sub (Retd) AK Shewale and replies to the same were given by the Vice Chairman/Secy.
(a) Where had the FDs to the tune of Rs.1.96 crore been invested ?
Ans These are in govt securities as per rule on the subject and kept in form of RBI Bonds maturing in 2010.
(b) What was the expenditure reflected on account of Mementoes for ? Who were these mementoes being given ?
Ans These were Mementoes being given to all retiring BSA members who come on monthly basis to Depot Bn for pension drill.
(c) What is the loan being given to GBH (Gurnam Boys Hostel) for ?
Ans This was being given to improve the condition of the bldg (repair to roof) in which wards of needy Bombay Sappers live to carry out their education at Pune.
(d) What was the miscellaneous expenditure amt of Rs.7 lakhs reflected on bldgs for.
Ans The details of this 7 Lakhs is as follows :
* Loan to Gurnam Boys Hostel - 5,00,000/-
* Improvement of Sapper Sarai - 1,96,522/-
* Expdr incurred on Extra ordinary meet on 31 Jan 07 - 6,806/-
* Maint of BSA office - 14,965/-
Total : - Rs. 7,18,293/-
(e) What happened to the HPCL Petrol Pump Scheme, which was mentioned in last meeting.
Ans We are tying up to get it formulated however the same has run into some delays at MOD level due to obsns on land to be made available for the project. The same is being followed up. A brief on the same will be put up to the Mgt Committee.
The balance sheet was perused by the house and passed. The approval of the balance sheet was proposed by Col RN Tiwari and seconded by Col Birender Singh .
18. The Secretary – cum – Treasurer gave estimated income for FY 2007 – 08 as Rs 16.10 lacs. The proposed budget for FY 2007 – 08 was placed in front of house for their comments if any and approval.
PROPOSED BUDGET : 2007-2008
19.
Expected Income For FY 2007-08 - 16.10 Lakhs
|
S NO |
TOTAL AMOUNT AVAILABLE |
BUDGET 06-07 (INCOME-15,33 LAKHS) |
ACTUAL EXP 2006-07 |
PROPOSED BUDGET 07-08 |
REMARKS |
|
1. |
Edn Scholarship |
1,80,400.00 |
1,64,700.00 |
2,25,500.00 |
|
|
2. |
Sports Scholarship |
20,000.00 |
20,000.00 |
40,000.00 |
|
|
3. |
GBH |
1,00,000.00 |
9,377.00 |
5,00,000.00 |
|
|
4. |
Distress Grant |
1,50,000.00 |
2,45,000.00 |
2,50,000.00 |
|
|
5. |
Grant to NOK |
75,000.00 |
10,000.00 |
10,000.00 |
|
|
6. |
Newsletter |
1,10,000.00 |
1,10,915.00 |
1,50,000.00 |
Reduce and tfr for welfare schemes News letter only on website |
|
7. |
Comradeship (Memento) |
1,00,000.00 |
1,00,000.00 |
1,50,000.00 |
|
|
8. |
Salary |
59,000.00 |
83,000.00 |
1,00,000.00 |
|
|
9. |
Maint of Cmptr |
50,000.00 |
22,891.00 |
16,000.00 |
|
|
10. |
Audit Fee |
12,000.00 |
12,000.00 |
15,000.00 |
|
|
11. |
Telephone Bill |
6,000.00 |
5,958.00 |
8,000.00 |
|
|
12. |
Office Functioning |
12,000.00 |
13,940.00 |
15,000.00 |
|
|
13 |
Membership Card |
20,000.00 |
11,648.00 |
20,000.00 |
|
|
14. |
Improvement of WebSite |
16,000.00 |
2,500.00 |
- |
|
|
15. |
Misc/Reserve |
25,000.00 |
7,18,293.00 |
1,10,500.00 |
|
|
|
Total |
9,35,400.00 |
15,30,222.00 |
16,10,000.00 |
|
20. Discussion Points -
(a) BSA – Punjab Chapter - The Secretary felt that we should start a chapter of BSA at Punjab to address the problems of the members residing in Punjab Sub (Retd) AK Shewale objected as to why it should be only Punjab and not other states. The house was informed that this was based on demographic percentage of tps is Bombay Sappers since about 37% are from Punjab and Maharashtra each. However, this was just a test case and can be reviewed later. Provision for opening of chapters in various states exists in the Memorandum of the Association, and min essential population for this chapter is also laid down in the constitution. A discussion was held and it was decided that initially a retd member (Offr) be incorporated from Punjab to be present in AGMs. Also, a BSA meet be arranged under the aegis of 268 Engr Regt at Chandigarh, in this year.
(b) Financial Powers - The enhancement of existing financial powers for the members was discussed. It was decided to maintain statuesque.
(C) HIV Cases – Suggestion came from members that HIV cases be provided some assistance from BSA. The Chairman welcomed the suggestion and directed the Management Committee to workout the modalities for providing such assistance.
21. Points recd from the units -
102 Engr Regt –
(a) Increase No of Scholarship : Increased No of Scholarship for motivating children of Bombay Sappers Association members.
Ans : Incr in number/amount of scholarships has been planned during the current yr and allocation of Edn scholarship has been enhanced from 1.8 Lakhs to 2.25 Lakhs in the current yr. Further the Chairman suggested that all scholarships should be for the JCO/OR members only. This was unanimously agreed to by the house.
(b) Industrial Tie Up : Tie up of BSA with industries for absorbing Bombay Sappers Association members on retirement from service.
Ans : Industrial tie up with various industries to incl L&T, Kirloskar, JCB, Reliance has been carried out and is being continuously pursued.
DEPOT BN, HQ BOMBAY ENGR GP & CENTRE –
(c) Employment of Caretaker for BEG Cemetery : Muslim Cemetery across the Holkar Bridge that is being looked after by Depot Bn. On demise of any NOK of BEG personal the cremation of Hindu/Sikh is carried out inside the premises of the cemetery. A caretaker is to be permanently employed the monthly charges of Rs.1000/- be made from welfare fund of BSA.
Ans : The point was turned down. Caretaker if required, will continue to be paid from Depot Bn or Bombay Sapper Regimental funds. It would also be examined if the KCB can bear the cost, if personnel other then from Bombay Sappers are cremated there.
Summary of Decisions taken by the AGM
22. The amount of education scholarships should be only for JCO/OR children and the amount to be enhanced, to help the needy deserving cases by way of full reimbursement of tuition fees in reputed school. Loan may be given for college going ward of members in case of deserving cases only, if adequate funds are held.
23. Similarly, the scholarships for sports should be awarded to give maximum support to the deserving candidates.
24. The Punjab chapter of BSA should be started by having a meeting under the aegis of 268 Engr Regt initially and further enhanced based on the response and necessity. A local chapter be formed and representation in AGM by a nominated member to start from next year.
25. Maj Gen SCN Jatar (Retd) brought out that as per the rule no money generating activity where there is likelihood of a loss except authorised investments should be encouraged. He also said that advice has already been obtained from an expert consultant in this regard.
26. The Gp Insurance scheme for all BSA members irrespective of their age could be under taken by the Associations so that the BSA could make ex gratia payment to the NOK of the deceased member. The point should be deliberated in next management committee meeting.
27. All the members of the present mgt committee gave their willingness to continue. The house was asked that if they had any objection to present members and also open offer was made in the house or any one desires to contest the election/suggest the name of the member to be included on mgt committee. Since the house approved and recommend the present mgt committee to continue, the mgt committee for year 2007-08 will be as under:-
Brig VK Bhatt, SM, VSM - Vice-Chairman, Comdt BEG (K)
Maj Gen SCN Jatar, (Retd) - Honorary Gen Secretary,
Col Ashun Bahl - Secretary-Cum-Treasurer, Dy Comdt
Col MM Bhushan, (Retd) - Member.
Col Sanjeev Kumar - Member.(CO Depot Bn)
Sub Maj/H’Capt VM Lavate (Retd) - Member
Gp Sub Maj Gurmit Singh - Asst Secretary.(Gp SM)
Col CP Ramchandani - OIC BSA, Member
28. In addition, a Retd Offr member would be incorporated from Punjab Area to progress the affairs of the Punjab Chapter.
29. Vote of thanks. At the end the house thanked the Management Committee for their excellent work done during the year.
CLOSING ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN
30. The Chairman, in his closing address thanked all members for their presence and excellent work done by Management Committee members. He conveyed his best wishes and wished good health to all the members and their families.
31. The Chairman reiterated that the main aim of BSA is to increase camaraderie among the Bombay Sappers and welfare of deserving members. He also stated that BSA has become more dynamic and is much better as compared to many other similar associations in the army and that we should strive for its betterment. Our first priority should be welfare of member JCOs/OR and widows and we should work towards that end.
33. There being no other point the Ninth AGM was concluded with a vote of thanks to the chair.
( Ashun Bahl )
Col
Secy – Cum - Treasurer
For Vice Chairman
10002/AGM-09/BSA
Bombay Sappers Association
C/O Headquarters
Bombay Engineer Group & Centre
Kirkee, Pune-411003
Sep 2007
All Units/Members of Bombay Sappers Association
Chairman,
Vice - Chairman
And all exec members of the Mgt Committee.