Should the BPP be transparent? Perhaps a rhetoric that is doing the rounds in all circles of public life. Honesty, transparency and genuine philanthropic attitude have been the hallmark of Parsi DNA over centuries. The time has come for greater transparency and better management of the prestigious Bombay Parsi Punchayet too.
Every Tuesday evening as the BPP board room livens up to discuss the community affairs, our very own activists start speculating the outcome of the meeting. No one really knows what is discussed at the meetings and what decisions are eventually taken by the Akabars. News though
sometimes travels fast and is published in Facebook pages of preferred groups or worse so published in the cosmopolitan media the next morning. It would be prudent for everyone in the community to know the working of one of the largest trusts in Mumbai that was set up in the 19th Century by the large-hearted and nurtured over the years by the many stalwarts. The board could upload a synopsis of the minutes of the meeting a few hours or a day later on the BPP website and put speculation to rest if they so desire. Why this has not been done thus far is difficult to comprehend.
We speak of Adult Franchise and claim our right to democratically vote the Trustees to the apex Parsi Trust just like a Member of Parliament is elected. In fact, the BPP election form asks for more details than the Government of India. However, the working and decisions of the BPP are not open to the general public as that of our Parliament. With the introduction of Adult Franchise, that involves the entire community voting the leaders it would only be expected that the leaders inform the electorate of the happenings of the BPP.
Sealed envelopes still do the rounds to fill up vacant BPP flats instead of real-time live streaming auctioning of trust flats. In the era of electronic communication it would be worthwhile to keep the auction open to the eligible candidates and let them try their luck to get a home from the charity at a reasonably more transparent and better price. This would benefit the beneficiaries as intended.
Protest and complaints for simple and/or important matters pile up in the files of the custodian’s office, sub office and the main office leaving the tenant/beneficiary in the dark as to what would be the fate of his humble request. Beneficiaries are made to wait endless hours at the BPP office just to meet the Trustees to raise their concerns. If the protectors of the Trust had the intention to resolve such complaints, these complaints could be lodged on a website recording the date and time and promising to deliver results within 48 to 72 hours.
Imagine the plight of a poor young boy wishing to get married who is made to stand outside the BPP board room eagerly waiting to hear his fate on allotment of a flat. After waiting endlessly being told by a trustee who walks in at 8pm for a 6pm meeting that he needs some time to review his case. Only if the process was streamlined – requirements mentioned in advance, documents uploaded on a defined portal, scrutinized by the staff, clarifications need by trustees listed down before the lad was summoned – the repute of the BPP would perhaps be manifold.
It will be appreciated by one and all if the accounts of the trust and the expenses in connection with the many welfare schemes would be published for review. This would stop with immediate effect, the splurge of BPP funds on frivolous litigation stemming from vendetta and ego of Trustees.
The time has come for a PARSI ANNA HAZARE movement to awaken and continue till the goal of the community is reached. The code of conduct for the forthcoming elections would perhaps be the first step towards a transparent running of the Trust. Interactive, real-time, prompt and efficient web based processes would mark the beginning of a more robust and efficient administration of the Trust. It should be the political will and genuine desire of the new Trustees to show a ray of hope to the dwindling image of this institution. The community over a period of time has constantly sought transparency in the affairs of the BPP Boardroom and the time is now ripe for bringing about these changes and making the office of the BPP a transparent body.
Comments are closed.
WHY I DISSENTED TO THE MERITLESS ALLOTMENT TO OUR JT. DY. CEO?
THE “YAZDI DESAI” YOU SHOULD REALLY KNOW!
REAL REASONS FOR DISHARMONY ON BPP BOARD
IS THE TIME RIPE TO CONVERT LEAVE LICENSES TO TENANCY
Trustee Viraf Mehta clarifies about the Heritage Walk at the Doongerwadi tomorrow.