Managing Committee members of David Sassoon Library quit

Mumbai, Sep 20 (PTI) A group of Managing Committeemembers of the 169-years-old iconic David Sassoon Library andReading Rooms here have resigned alleging "unconstitutional"working style of its current office bearers. The members accused the present officer bearers of"indulging in financial irregularities". A group of members of the Library, including ManagingCommittee member Shobha Pawar, who resigned this morning, alsodemanded setting up of an ad-hoc committee during its AnnualGeneral Meeting, scheduled for September 23. "In the history of the 169-years-old institute, this isthe first time that we (a group of Managing Committee members)have suspected financial misconduct in the books of accountsand the delay in repairing the heritage structure," saidRalphy Jhirad, the Convener of the Friends of the DavidSassoon Library and Reading Rooms. The Library at present has a stock of over 70,000 books.It has 3,000 odd members, most of them permanent ones. Jhirad alleged, "Petty interests of a handful of peoplehave defeated the whole purpose of visionary philanthropistDavid Sassoon who formed the library in 1847." "The heritage structure is also in bad shape and theleakage in its roof might trouble the students who sit forstudies. We want all these discussed in the AGM beforeapproaching the Charity Commissioner," he said. The library building, a grade-1 structure, situated inKala Ghoda is in dilapidated condition. Solomon Sopher, Chairman and Managing trustee of theSassoon and Allied Trust, and the permanent nominated memberon the Managing committee of the David Sassoon Libraryalso addressed the reporters. He expressed his disappointment over the happenings. Despite repeated attempts, officer bearers of thelibrary were unavailable for comments. PTI APM NRBSRYSRE