The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Society was held on Sep 15, 2024 at Kalyan Kendra, Vasant Vihar. The meeting commenced with observing two minutes silence in the memory of the members of the Society who had left for their heavenly abode during the year 2023-24. It was followed by the Presidential address by the President of the Society, Deepak Mishra. At the outset, the President thanked the General Body for giving him an opportunity for the first time to address the august gathering and present the Annual Report for the year 2023-24 of the Society and the Vasant Vihar Club.
He said that for the first time in the last 10 years or more the Society and the Club has achieved a surplus of Rs.12.50 Lakhs in the Society (including Rs. 10 Lakhs received as donation from Shanti Niketan Recreation Centre) and Rs. 33.33 Lakhs in the Club in the same financial year. The net surplus, therefore, is Rs. 45.83 Lakhs for the year 2023-24.
After the Presidential address, the Annual Report and the Annual Audit Report along with audited accounts for the year 2023-24, ending 31 March 2024 were discussed and approved by the General Body.
On the ‘Proposed Capital Plan Outlay for the Financial Year 2024-25’, following views were expressed by the members of the General Body:
• The Club and the Society buildings being more than 30 years old need redevelopment. Adhoc modifications being carried out will meet short term needs only.
• Capital Fund reserves being limited, we need to conserve them for creation of additional facilities and long-term requirements.
• According to Anil Gupta, a feasibility study was carried out 4-5 years back to assess the suitability of the existing Club building for construction of additional floors. It was certified by a civil engineer that an additional floor can be constructed on the existing structure. The plan to construct an additional floor be revived.
• The Club needs relocation of Squash Court, additional accommodation for Gymnasium, Library, modernization of kitchen, and all weather swimming pool.
The Proposed Capital Plan Outlay for the Financial Year 2024-25 was approved with additional budgeting of Rs. 15 Lakhs for renovation of swimming pool including retiling and channeling to prevent rain water from the terrace and the adjoining areas entering into the swimming pool during rainy season.
Additional agenda point regarding grant of additional amount of Rs. 3.33 Cr for the Shanti Niketan Recreation Centre was withdrawn for want of additional inputs. A four-member committee was formed headed by Anil Gupta to go into all aspects of the Shanti Niketan Recreation Centre project and submit its report within a month. Further view on the matter will be taken on receipt of the report.
The other concerns expressed by the members of the General Body are as under:
Gautam Vohra: The saddest part of Vasant Vihar today is very poor DJB water supply. Ever since I have come to Vasant Vihar, the water supply operations have blown four times. I want to know what measures are being taken by the Society or any other body to ensure uninterrupted water supply. There are 35 Water Harvesting Structures in Vasant Vihar. Are any of these structures being used to augment DJB water supply?
Veena Khosla: We are suffering in mess. We are suffering because we have no rules and no code. Construction is going on and on. Construction work starts at 6 O’clock in the morning and goes on till late night. The roads are littered with steel pipes, sanitary ware, and other construction material. I want to know who is responsible to control these activities and what measures are being taken to control them?
Kum Kum Talwar: Encroachments are continuing to take place in Vasant Vihar. The exponential rate at which it is taking place, the time is not far when this colony will turn into another Sarojini Nagar. Immediate measures need to be taken to arrest this trend.
The meeting ended with vote of thanks by General Body to Deepak Mishra for his patience, tolerance and giving ample time to the members of the General Body for voicing their concerns and giving suggestion for the betterment of Vasant Vihar and Shanti Niketa.
(Lunch was served after the meeting)
