20 September,2016 08:18 AM IST | | Benita Fernando
Two members of the David Sassoon Library move a no-confidence motion against the management, five days before the AGM
The David Sassoon Library is in urgent need of repairs
Just days ahead of the David Sassoon Library's Annual General Meeting (AGM), scheduled for September 23, two life members have moved a no-confidence motion against the current management committee. Chartered accountant Gaurang Shah and engineer Ralphy Jhirad have alleged that the management has "delayed repairing the heritage structure" and suspect "financial misconduct". A 24-page document citing these allegations has been prepared to this effect.
Resolutions not passed
Jhirad explained that his suspicions were raised after three important resolutions were not passed in a special general meeting held in May this year. Firstly, a report assessing the Grade One heritage structure's need for repair and restoration, prepared by Vikas Dilawari. The report classified the repairs as urgent, necessary and desirable, pegging the total cost of repairs at around R1 crore. Secondly, the offer of R31 lakh by the Kala Ghoda Association (KGA)âu00c2u0080u00c2u0088for urgent repairs that was turned down for no given reason. Lastly, overseas funds from the Sassoon family through the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act that the members wanted to accept on a permanent basis, but the committee wanted limited to a year.
When the committee shot down these resolutions, the president emeritus of the library, Vivekanand Ajgaonkar, resigned, along with three other committee members. However, Ajgaonkar's resignation is yet to be accepted.
"The roof is leaking so badly that buckets have been kept on it so that rain water doesn't seep in. The building has also developed so many cracks that need to be filled soon," he said. The roof has currently been repaired with inexpensive material.
Restoration saga
The management committee is currently headed by vice president, Kaushik Oza. While Oza was not available for comment, assistant secretary Ramdas Thorat said that these were mere allegations. "We have all documentation in place. If people want to know about the workings of the library, they can read our annual report," said Thorat. With regards to the KGA's offer, Thorat says it is being processed. However, Maneck Davar, chairperson of the KGA, said there might be "a confusion" in the committee. "We had offered Rs 31 lakh to carry out the repairs before monsoon, which was turned down then," he said.
Power struggle?
A patron member of the library shared, "There is an internal power struggle that is going on in an aging institution. Camps have formed and there is a difference of opinion on how to run it."
However, Jhirad is certain that the differences have nothing to do with a pro- or anti- Ajgaonkar views. "He does not even wish to get re-elected. But we want everyone to come together to make sure that this building is taken care of. Whoever becomes president has to repair the roof, right?" he said.
