BPP: The first 100 days

The Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) estimates a loss of Rs 4.5 crore for the year ending March 31, 2016, notes its report on the first 100 days of its functioning sent to Parsiana by BPP trustee Noshir Dadrawala. The board has promised to keep the community posted from time to time about what has been done. Outstanding payments amounting to three crore rupees were made by liquidating security deposits. Issues raised by the auditors have been answered to finalize accounts for the year before last and returns have been filed.
Though the task before them was "very daunting,” the new board of trustees, which took charge on October 23, 2015, has put the "hallowed institution on the fast-track of progress and growth.” One of the first initiatives was to approach the office of the Charity Commissioner to get the stay order on allotting houses and other transactions lifted. Several hours have been devoted to discussing the housing policy and giving top priority to the homeless/newly married. Prioritizing the Godrej Baug ownership project and exploring other avenues of resource mobilization is underway, the report notes. The Heritage TDR (Transfer of Development Rights) Committee is being formed to explore the possibility of tapping into this resource and many knowledgeable members of the community have agreed to help.

Partly constructed ownership building at Godrej Baug

Visitors to the BPP’s office are treated "with utmost respect, dignity and heard patiently.” They are offered water and tea, the money for which is contributed by the trustees and not drawn from trust funds. The trustees also contribute for refreshments served at board meetings, mentions the report. Tuesday board meetings start promptly at 5 p.m. and often end around midnight. Trustees also meet, by prior appointment, members of the community from 6 p.m. up to almost midnight. "These active interfaces have been initiated… to resolve conflict and address various issues affecting our beneficiaries.” With over 200 cases pending in court, wherever possible and when in the interests of both the trust and the beneficiaries, every effort will be made to settle them amicably. Already, several cases have been looked into, the trustees have met the litigating parties, and a number of cases have been amicably settled. There will be no compromise in cases that adversely affect the trust, the trustees maintain.
Meetings with representatives of various baugs have been held to sort out unresolved matters and discussions initiated with Adarbad Society and the A. H. Wadia Baug. Two meetings with the Wadia Committee of Management have been fruitful and both Nusli and Ness Wadia have been appreciative of the speed and efficiency with which the board has been working, the report mentions. Friendly meetings with the Union leaders Dhunji Netarwala and Chandbibi have resulted in a good rapport between both parties. Some trustees visited Navsari and met community members interested in purchasing shops and residential flats in buildings constructed by the BPP there.
Regarding other avenues of revenue such as supply of bore well water and hoardings, the BPP found that several contracts had not been renewed or the payments received were below current market rates. These irregularities have been corrected and "a loud and clear message sent out (that) this board has zero tolerance for any form of corruption and remains steadfast in its resolve to bring about full transparency and accountability at all levels of management within the BPP system.”