Selected Tax Accounting Standards, 20th December 2012, at Indian Merchants’ Chamber
Mr. Kishor B. Karia, Chartered Accountant and past president of the Society, presented an insightful analysis of proposed Tax Accounting Standards (TAS). The learned speaker explained various issues and challenges likely to arise from implementation of proposed TAS in the current form, resulting in increased hardships and litigation. The meeting was attended by over 400 listeners.
Recovery & Stay Proceedings, 2nd January 2013, at Indian Merchants’ Chamber
Dr. K. Shivaram, Advocate, explained legal provisions in respect of Recovery & Stay Proceedings and recent case laws on the subject. The learned speaker covered recovery proceedings before and after assessment, properties that can be and cannot be attached, joint and several liability of directors and partners, remedies against recovery and other related issues. The meeting was attended by over 250 listeners. The webcast of the meeting is available on BCAS Web TV to the subscribers.
Other Programmes
Educate a Child – Create a Personality, 19th December 2012, at the Society’s Office
This programme was jointly organised by the BCAS Foundation and Dharma Bharathi Mission, to encourage volunteers to devote their time to educate the underprivileged children living in slums and at Municipal schools in Mumbai and demonstrate benefits of volunteering. It was an interactive meeting of all stakeholders with young nation builders to hear their experience, to share, to interact and to recognise their good work as well as that of their mentors. Mr. Narayan Varma, Chartered Accountant and Trustee, BCAS Foundation, and Mr. Paramjeet Singh, Trustee, Dharma Bharathi Mission, welcomed and addressed the volunteers who were felicitated at the hands of Mr. Vinay Somani, Founder, Karmayog.
Sports Day, 30th December 2012, at BMC Sports Complex
The Membership & Public Relations Committee organised the First Sports day for members, their families and students. Mr. Dilip V. Lakhani, Chartered Accountant and Past President and a former All India Ranked International Table Tennis Player, inaugurated the event. The Sports Day received enthusiastic response from 65 participants who enjoyed playing games like Badminton, Table Tennis, Carrom and Chess. The programme ended with prize distribution ceremony at the hands of President Mr. Deepak R. Shah, Chartered Accountant, to the following Winners and Runners-Up:
Right to Information
Future Possibilities & Way Forward, 15th January 2013, at the Society’s Office
This meeting was organised by the BCAS Foundation to discuss various challenges being faced by the Right to Information movement and the way forward. The discussion was led by eminent social and RTI activists Ms. Aruna Roy [member of National Advisory Council (NAC) and co-founder of the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sanghathan], Mr. Shailesh Gandhi (former central information commissioner), Mr. Nikhil Dey [member of National Council for People’s Right to Information (NCPRI)] and Mr. Shankar Singh [member of Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS)] along with other RTI activists. The forum felt that violence on users, court stay on prominent decisions of the information commission, rulings that limit the scope of RTI and threats from the government through legislations were major challenges being faced. Also, most new laws being framed provide for exemption from the RTI Act diluting the power of the RTI. Also, the Courts have been limiting the scope of RTI with words like ‘intimidating and suppressing’ when information about bureaucrats is sought. While RTI has managed to achieve a lot and people have learnt to use it, the system, too, is learning to resist it. It was agreed that there was a need for a country-wide alliance for transparency and accountability. Mr. Narayan Varma, Chartered Accountant and Trustee of BCAS Foundation, chaired the meeting. He explained the active role played by the Society in RTI movement and assured continued active participation by the Society.
Screening of “AHIMSA-The Strength of Non violence”, 14th January 2013, at the Society’s Office
BCAS Foundation, Dharma Bharathi Mission and Public Concern for Governance Trust jointly arranged the screening of this movie which shows an exemplary story of how after a tenacious, nonviolent struggle, the villagers of Sannai in Madhya Pradesh, India, obtained their rights for land and water. The exemplary story of these tribal people showed the fascinating strength inherent in the principle of Ahimsa: non-violence. In a society where corruption and caste conflicts undermine democratic rights, the Adivasis are supported by activists of the Gandhian Forum for Solidarity: “Ekta Parishad”. To this day, its founder P.V. Rajagopal and his colleagues train young people in non-violence when struggling for a dignified and sustainable social change. The film maker Professor Kari Saurer, from Zuric, Switzerland was present at the screening.
The movie was well appreciated by the audience.
