Madam/Dear Sir,

As you are aware, the Council of our Institute over the years has been encouraging / taking appropriate steps so as to acquire adequate size of land or building for catering to the respective needs and requirements of branches. Consequently, while a number of branches have already acquired land/building, others are striving to achieve the same by putting in their best efforts.

It is felt that owning a building by the ICAI at each level alone could effectively take care of the requirements of the students and members arising out of the various activities such as the following that have been made mandatory by the Council over a period of time:

• Orientation Programmes
• General Management and Communication Skills (GMCS) course
• Additional GMCS in the first year of training
• Information Technology Training (ITT)
• Additional Advanced ITT
• Endeavour to run coaching classes for students
• CPE programme
• reading room and the like.

To manage the above activities, Head Office, Regional Councils and Branches of the Institute including Centres of Excellence require own premises in the long run.

The aspect of how to progress further in the matter in a structured manner has been engaging the attention of the successive Presidents and Finance/Executive Committees. This matter came up for discussion at a recent meeting of the Finance Committee held on 12th July, 2012. After due deliberations, the Committee felt that drawing up of a comprehensive policy, (after taking into account the requirements of Head Office, Regional Offices including the Decentralised Offices at various locations and branches, besides Centres of Excellence, the present fund position and the projected fund availability at least during the next 3 to 5 years) is the need of the hour.

Considering the above and other related matters/aspects, the Committee authorised the President in Office to constitute a Group of Council Members, in terms of the authority given to him by the Council at its 314th meeting held from 10th to 12th February, 2012 to examine the above and all other related issues in a comprehensive manner and formulate a draft long-term policy which can be put to use by the Institute. Accordingly, the President has constituted the Group with the following members:-

• CA. Subodh Kumar Agrawal, Vice President (Convenor)
• CA. Manoj Fadnis
• CA. C.S. Nanda
• CA. S.B. Zaware
• CA. P. Rajendra Kumar

Shri Neeraj Srivastava, Sr. Deputy Secretary would be Secretary to the above Group.

The Group will frame the draft policy after taking into account, among others, the following:

• Ascertaining the existing infrastructure / space available with Head Office including Centres of Excellence, Regional Head-quarters and branches and their suggestions and recommendations on way forward, based on the experience gained including difficulties faced.
• Evaluating the additional requirements, i.e., future needs at all levels, after ascertaining such requirements from the Head Office, Regional Councils and Branches, besides that of Centres of Excellence.
• Evaluating the fund position as available, now, and that may be required in the next 3-5 years and above.
  
  [In other words, ascertaining the existing infrastructure/space and also evaluating the additional requirements on pan India basis covering Head Office including Centres of Excellence, Regional Head-quarters and Branches, vis-a-vis fund position for submission to the Council.]