23rd AGM of ALRD
ALRD’s 23rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held befittingly in a festive mood at its office auditorium on 31st October, 2015. Ms Khushi Kabir the chairperson of the organization was in the chair. The meeting confirmed the minutes of the last AGM held in October, 2014. The AGM also approved the Annual Activities Report of the organization for the period July 2014- June 2015. The revised budget for 2015-16 and proposed budget of the organization for 2016-17 were also approved by the General Members in the AGM. Finally the 15- members Executive Committee of ALRD for two years’ term from 2015 to 2017 was elected by the members in the AGM.
The Annual General Meeting of the Association for Land Reform and Development (ALRD) was formally opened in line with its tradition by offering national anthem. An obituary reference paying respect to the deceased land and human rights defenders and eminent persons, humanists, writers, scientists, researchers, garssroot activists at home and abroad was adopted in the meeting.
The ex-officio Member Secretary and Executive Director Mr. Shamsul Huda presented the Annual Activities Report of the organization for the period 2014-15 in the meeting and discussion followed. Members gave their feedback and highlighted the major achievements of the organization. They appreciated very much the brilliant-initiatives with regard to defending the land rights of the religions minorities and indigenous communities both in CHT and Plain districts.
Mr. A Majid Mallik, Mr. A. Milon Khan, Prof. Rowshan Ara, Mohammad Kamaluddin, Mr. Shaktipada Tripura, Mr. Majibar Rahman, Mr. Naresh Oraon, Mr. Ataur Rahman Rana, Dr. Abul Hossain, Ms. Sandhya Malo, Mr. AFM Akther Uddin among others took part in the deliberations.
The meeting approved the audited financial Report of the organization for the period from July 2014 to June 2015. The AGM appointed the audit firm M/S Ashraful Haque Nabi &Co for auditing the accounts of the organization for the period from July 2015 to June 2016.
The meeting also approved the revised budget of the organization for the period of July 2015 to June 2016.
The meeting further approved the proposed budget of the organization for the period from July 2016 to June 2017, which would be submitted to the development partners Danida and BftW (Bread for the World). Both the revised budget and the proposed budget for 2016-17 were presented in the AGM by the Treasurer Ms. Afzalun Nesa Chowdhury.
The Annual General Meeting of ALRD termed the past year (2014-15) as the year of illegal grabbing of the lands, water bodies, forests, haors and beels belonging to both marginal farmers, IPs and minorities as well as to the government.
The election was conducted by the 2-member election commission. The chairman of the Election Commission Adv. Zahidul Bari and the commission member Adv. Nilufar Banu formally announced the new Executive committee who were elected for a tenure of two years (2015-17). The Executive Committee members are as follows:
Ms Khushi Kabir (Chairperson), A. Majid Mallik (Vice- chair), Ms Afazalun Nessa Chowdhury (Treasurer), Dr. Abul Barkat (member), A. Milon Khan (member), Prof. Rowshan Ara (member), Dr. Shafique uz Zaman (member), Monika Siddiqui (member), Shah-I-Mobin Jinnah (member), Dr. Sakeda Halim (member), Dr. Shima Zaman (member), Kazi Shamsul Alam (member), AFM Akhter Uddin (member), Raja Devasish Roy (member) and Mr. Shamsul Huda (Member Secretary).
The Executive Director Mr. Shamsul Huda thanked all to members, the partners and specially the govt. officials at various levels for their continued support and cooperation.
The Annual General meeting was ended with a vote of thanks by the chair. Ms Khushi Kabir in her closing remarks recalled the valuable contribution of the General Members and Executive Committee in various ways. She also appreciated the hard work of the full time staff of ALRD in executing the approved plan of the organization.
The AGM was followed by dinner offered in honour of the members and guests.
