Eight out of 14 committee members of the library have offred to resign from their posts, including, president Vivekanand Ajgaonkar, treasurer Arvind Sanap and secretary Uma Wagle. However, Ajgaonkar's resignation has not been accepted.
A couple of members of the David Sassoon Library, Kalaghoda, who call them as Friends of David Sassoon Library and Reading Room (FDSLRR) pointed out a few irregularities in fundings for the past couple of months.
According to the 2015-2016 David Sassoon Library's Annual Report and an invitation of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) which is to be held on September 23, the financial highlights mentioned a deficit of Rs5,58,000 however, in a 'note of appreciation to the staff and all members of David Sassoon Library' which was allegedly issued by vice president, Kaushik Oza, the deficit was mentioned as Rs12,00,000.
Eight out of 14 committee members of the library have offred to resign from their posts, including, president Vivekanand Ajgaonkar, treasurer Arvind Sanap and secretary Uma Wagle. However, Ajgaonkar's resignation has not been accepted.
The two life members, CA Gaurang Shah and engineer Ralphy Jhirad allege that the management has purposely delayed repairing the heritage structure library. They also suspect financial misconduct and therefore have started a no-confidence motion against the current management committee.
Shah says,"The library needs severe repairs as it is not maintained properly and there is seepage both inside and outside the building. Also, for the auditing process, no access was given to Arvind Sanap, to study the accounts and he was asked to sign the report."
"I had written a letter making a few suggestions myself, besides, Vivekanand Ajgaonkar had also got a report from the heritage architect, Vikas Dilawari, who had given an estimate of Rs1.33 crore for important repairs in the library," says Jhirad, and adds: "The Kalaghoda association was also ready to donate 35 lakh however, that too was denied. Besides, a certificate under Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, too hasn't been obtained till now."
Solomon Sopher, the permanent nominated member of the managing committee of the library on similar lines shared, "I feel very strongly, that the president, Vivekanand Ajgaonkar has done a phenomenal work for the library and his life was made miserable. But the library shouldn't suffer because of all this is all we want." Kaushik Oza, however said he will respond at the AGM. "My AGM is scheduled on the 23rd, I will open the Pandora's box then and verify the facts and figures. My members will know it all on that day. Besides, whatever the AGM decides will be final," he says.
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