Interenal Auditor inspects the Press Club , Mumbai Documents

The Press Club Mumbai's first "elected " Internal Auditor Mr Oommen Ninan today visited the club and inspected various documents and took note of some comissions and ommissions , including shortage of about Rs 3000 at the cash counter.

As per his request , that was authorised by none other than the Club President Mr Pradip Vijayakar , an 'ordinary member' of the Club , CPJha was called to assist him in inspecting the Club documents.

The Club Chairman , Devendra Mohan , however , asked CPJha to 'get out' of the cashier counter saying that he did not know who has authosised him to do so.

At this CPJha vaccated the Cashier counter and yet offered his help to the Internal Auditor , if required, asserting that he was fully authorised to do so.
After that the Club's former secretary Gurbir Singh cornered CPJha and 'WARNED " him in front of the Chairman Mohan , the Managing Committee Member Joshi and senior member Mody for what he claimed was an excercise in frustration.CPJha just requested him to serve a letter in black & white in support of his contention.
Mr Gurbir Singh also asked CPJha to be ready for repercusssions.At this CPJha said " Please be calm , do not raise your fingers at me , I am willing to what is my duty under the constitution of the Club and if you have any objections please ask the President and the Internal Auditor ".
We shall revisit the 'incident ' soon after the Club managing committee formally files its objections.

CPJha thanks all the Voter-Member of the Press Club ,Mumbai

Thanks a ton members for supporting me and giving me 29 per cent votes in the presidential polls.


Dear members,
Thanks a lot for your support to the principles for which I contested the 2008-10 Press Club, Mumbai polls.

I thank you once again for giving me 29 per cent of votes in the Presidential polls.

I do respect the verdict and congratulate all the winners.

Kindly also allow me to thank you , all the Club members, who participated in Friday’s Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) of the Club on July 25 , 2008 and the polls held the following day.

Similarly, I thank all such non-voter members of the Club and other journalist colleagues in Mumbai and elsewhere in the country, who evinced interest in the issues involved in the club elections, which we highlighted through this blog and other ways.

For your kind information, I had contested in this election as an independent candidate for the President’s post as also for the Managing Committee --- without any support or backing from the ruling panel of the Progressive Democratic Alliance (PDA)-led by the Club's outgoing secretary Gurbir Singh and the opposition panel of Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD)-led by the outgoing Internal Auditor G Vishwanath.

The PDA, which had not put up its candidate for the post of President for reasons best known to it, had tacitly supported Pradeep Vijayakar for this post. The FDD had declared Mr Vijayakar as its candidate for the post. Mr Vijayakar was declared re-elected as President for the second consecutive two-year term.
Out of 430 of total 711 votes polled in this election, 22 votes were declared invalid for the post of President. Mr Vijayakar secured as many as 297 votes, while I polled 110 votes in the Presidential polls.

Leaders of both the PDA and the FDD functionaries now say that even 110 votes that I secured was because of the “CONFUSION” among the voters, that it was by “DEFAULT”, as the PDA did not put up its candidate for the post and that I was seen in the company of FDD leaders.

Well, it is not my job to explain as to why the PDA had not fielded its candidate for the post of President.

An SMS message sent by the PDA to the voters on Sunday (July 27, 2008) claimed that it has won all the office bearers’ posts. It is now for the PDA to explain as to how it can make such a claim since it had not put its presidential candidate, let alone winning the president’s post. Or is the PDA suggesting that Mr Vijayakar was as much their candidate as he was of the FDD? Or does the PDA nurse the feeling that it can run the work the club without the President?
Strangely enough, Mr Vijayakar did not either actively campaign for the FDD panel or issue any statement himself that he was a FDD candidate and had nothing to do with PDA. All the same, it is not for me to question Mr Vijayakar for the stand he took in the polls.
However, I do have a question for both the FDD and PDA leaders: How do they explain the fact that I secured 90 votes in the Managing Committee Members’ poll, despite the fact that both the panels had put up their full quota of 10 candidates each.

While I respect the verdict, I intend to come out with some startling revelation in the coming days on the questionable manner in which Returning Officer Jatin Desai conducted the club polls. To say the least, the polls were not so free and fair as they ought to have been. Please do look out for my revelation.

CPJha

The Press Club, Mumbai , Membership No. 388
Mumbai

Why am I contesting for the President's post in the Press Club Elections

Why am I contesting for the President’s post?

Dear members,
Till some days ago, I was not keen on contesting the biennial Press Club polls, scheduled for July 26, 2008, owing to my pre-occupation with the “Save UNI” struggle that I have been involved with for nearly two years now and my disinclination to take active part in the electoral politics of the Club. However, the following reasons have compelled me to contest for the post of President in the polls:

1) Ahead of the close of nominations on July 21, 2008, I had a hunch that the Gurbir Singh-led ruling panel – Progressive Democratic Alliance (PDA), for reasons best known to it – was not putting up its nominee for the post of President. This meant that there would be only one Presidential candidate in the fray i.e., Mr Pradeep Vijayakar – fielded by the G Viswanath-led Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD). This would have led to the unopposed election of Mr Vijayakar for the post of the President for the second consecutive two-year term. For your kind information, Mr Vijayakar has held the President’s post for four terms during the last 12 years.

In the larger interests of the Club, I sincerely felt that Mr Vijayakar should not go unchallenged in the 2008-10 Press Club polls, considering that his performance as the President during 2006-08 has been rather pathetic. That is why I have decided to contest for the Club’s Presidential polls against Mr Vijayakar.


While I would deliberate at length on the performance of my opponent at a later stage, what immediately comes to my mind is a comment made by Mr Vijayakar in his appeal to the voters in the 2006-08 polls, in the context of increasing accountability in the current journalistic profession. He had this to say: “There are pressing times for journalists. The system of accountability has come into the profession. Perform or pack up. Stragglers have no place. The system of appraisal can easily weed out the shirkers.” Mr Vijayakar should realise that his statement applies to the Press Club, Mumbai, as well.

Having keenly assessed the functioning of Mr Vijayakar during the two years, I can without doubt say that he has not effectively utilised the powers vested with him as a President under Article 14 (a) of the Club’s by-laws which states thus: “The President of the Club shall oversee the functioning of the Managing Committee and he shall exercise the powers vested in him as the head of the Club elected by the General Body, to evaluate the performance of the Managing Committee, guide it from time to time, intervene decisively where there is malfunctioning or where there can be a possible breakdown in the administration. Further provided that in such eventuality, he shall enlist the assistance of the Internal Auditor as provided in Article 30”

Nor has Mr Vijayakar made effective use of the Internal Auditor as provided for under Article 30 of the amended by-laws, which mandates the Internal Auditor thus: “The Internal Auditor shall directly report to the President every three months on the performance of the Club. Further, the Internal Auditor shall present, if the situation demands, to the President an on-the-spot report on his own or at the behest of the President, if there is a likely breakdown in the Club administration or malfunctioning of the Managing Committee or any other development which necessitates the President's effective intervention”.

2) Another reason behind my deciding to contest the Presidential polls is rather saddening silence on the part of Mr Vijayakar on the appalling disregard shown by the outgoing Secretary Gurbir Singh to our the Institution Marathi Patrakar Sangh in our neighborhood and n the amended by-laws of the Club.

In this context, I would like to inform you that I have written several letters to Mr Vijayakar, with copies to Chairman Devendra Mohan, bringing to his notice the commissions and omissions of the outgoing Managing Committee and seeking his intervention. But, neither has Mr Vijayakar bothered to respond nor has the Chairman made amends within the Managing Committee.

3) I do not belong to either of the panels fighting the polls. If anything, I belong to a ‘minuscule minority” of members in the Club and those in the profession -- that is sane, sober and concerned, that believes in journalistic probity, that asks questions if something has gone amiss and that makes it a point to crusade against the omissions and commissions of rulers that be in a premier institution like the Press Club, Mumbai.

If I am contesting the Club Presidential polls, it is not because that I want to win myself and defeat anybody else in the polls – I honestly do not have a captive vote bank --, but it is because I would like to use the polls as means to reach out to my views to members on crucial issues – some of them constitutional and legal in nature and others relating to the day-to-day functioning of the club.

All the same, it is suffice to say in the end, – if elected to the post of the President by all of you – I would like to do the following:

a) Given that the Press Club, Mumbai, is not a legal registered body under any law of the land as it ought to have for an organization that has been existence since the early seventies, I would like to work towards to regularising/ legalising all matters relating to the Club. (On this count, I plan to bring out a fact-sheet during the course of my campaign).

b) I would dexterously discharge duties assigned to me as the President under Article 14(a), (b) and (c) of the Club’s by-laws.

c) I would also work ensuring that the various amended provisions of the Club’s by-laws are adhered to by the Managing Committee of the day in letter and spirit.
d) I would do everything at my command to uphold the dignity of the institution, would work in tandem with the Managing Committee, strive to make the functioning of the club as transparent as possible and contribute in my own to the growth of the Club.

e) Last but not the least, I would strive for increased participation of members in the activities of the club in general and its elections in particular.

I sincerely look forward to receiving your support my Presidential candidature in the Club polls, scheduled for July 26, 2008.

Warm regards

CP Jha
You may also write me at cpjha@yahoo.com









CP JHA


A senior journalist, CP Jha – better known as CP among his colleagues and friends – has been working for the United News of India (UNI) since 1986. Reporting on politics has always been his forte, CP has of late begun to cover events in business and corporate sectors, a new beat he has picked up on his own after coming to Mumbai in 2003. Though he is attached to “UNI-varta” – the Hindi section of the national news agency, he files copies both in Hindi and English.

Coming from a middle-class family in Bihar, CP has been associated with some movement or the other since his college days. Like thousands of other students of his time, CP was inspired by Jay Prakash Narayan to no end. And he took to JP movement during the Emergency days, like a fish takes to water.

A linguist, CP did his post-graduation in Chinese literature and language from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) where, in fact, he learnt the arts and science of student union politics – a developed trait that has stood him in good stead in later years.

Though a product of JNU which has spawned hundreds of youngsters who easily get agitated, can hold forth on issues of ideology endlessly but can not deliver in the end, CP has attained a rare maturity over the years, is committed to the core on issues relating to UNI and various journalistic organizations. CP has been in the forefront of a long-drawn agitation against the desperate efforts by a media baron to take control of UNI. During the course of more than a year-long agitation, CP as an All India General Secretary of the UNI Employees Federation had gone a week-long fast in UNI’s Bandra office to protest against suspensions and transfers of the employees in October 2006.

The struggle by CP and his other colleagues in Mumbai, Delhi, Kerala and elsewhere in the country --- which took them to various courts and Company Law Board --has already paid dividends. And they have succeeded in restoring a status quo situation in UNI – which is now sans the control of the media baron.

During the “Save UNI” agitation, CP turned a chronicler of the troubled times within UNI, CP objectively documented the unpleasant events that befell both the employees and the news agency during those months and, at the same time, brought on record the overall history of the organisation, five years ahead it completing its golden jubilee of its formation, in his book “UNI - Back to Future” which is soon to come out with a forward by Veteran Journalist Kuldip Nayar.

Dubbed as an `activist-journalist' than a mere journalist, CP had earlier created a stir in the political circles of Uttar Pradesh in 1998, when he as a journalist launched a campaign against the `fake encounters' perpetrated by the police at the behest of the then Mulayam Singh Yadav dispensation in the state. In that "Campaign against Liquidation", he had not only crusaded against the unpardonable violation of human rights committed -- all in the name of eliminating criminals, but also meticulously documented in reams of pages the manner in which the police had targeted and bumped off `unwanted' elements.

CP is not sparing when it comes to his own ilk within the media. He made quite a few enemies within the journalistic circles of Lucknow in 1997, when he launched a campaign against "corruption in the media" allegedly involving at least 100 journalists. The then UP chief minister Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav had virtually bought over the journalists in question by gifting them with.

In Lucknow, CP along with senior journalist Radhika Ramseshan had around the same time crusaded against a pornographic magazine brought out by a section of journalists in the Press Club there in collaboration with some local politicians on the occasion of “Holi”. As part of the crusade, CP and Radhika had staged a dharna in front of then chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav’s May-day meeting in the Press Club, prompting his successor, Mayawati to order a State CID inquiry against those behind the questionable magazine. Afterwards, the journalists and politicians concerned discontinued the publication of the magazine.

All through his 22-year-long career, CP has taken active interest in the issues relating to fellow journalists. During the period, he has been a member of several Press Clubs, including Press Clubs of India (Delhi), and Chandigarh Press Club

CP has been a member of the Press Club, Mumbai, since 2003. During the period, he has been very active and he has crusaded among other things against the questionable governance of the club by the Gurbir Singh-led ruling alliance, its utter disregard for the by-laws of the Club, Mr Pradeep Vijayakar’s failure to discharge his Presidential duties and determined efforts by the ruling dispensation to bail out Secretary (Mr Gurbir Singh) in the alleged violent incident involving the Secretary himself and member Renni Abraham.

After considerable deliberation, CP has now chosen to take a plunge into the electoral politics of the Press Club, Mumbai. More than winning the elections, CP wants to use the polls as a means to focus on the challenges before the Press Club, Mumbai, in the coming years.

MR GURBIR SINGH’S DOUBLE-SPEAK AND CAMOUFLAGE BARED

ISSUES

Members upset with the latest hike in liquor & food item rates at the club

NEW CLUB HOUSE AN ARCHITECTURAL BLUNDER!!! .

No fans, Only AC!!!

Centralised Air-conditioning System jacks up the club’s electricity bills.

"Hike in liquor charges by 15% has made the Club lose rather than gain revenue. More journalists find it easier on their pockets to entertain themselves at a 'Gokul' or a "Lalit” bars where the drinks are not only cheaper but come with a few free snacks as well. A huge guest fee for even those who do not drink has discouraged guest visitation and hit revenues"

Guess who took this stand. It is none other than current “Hon” Secretary Gurbir Singh, when he led an Opposition Progress Democratic Alliance (PDA) panel in the 2003-04 Press Club elections. In his desperate bid to return to power in the Press Club, Mr Gurbir Singh issued a two-page pamphlet headlined “Sleazy Watering Hole OR Prestigious Press Club" on June 24, 2003. While it is another matter the “Sleazy Watering Hole” campaign worked, his panel rode to power on this and some other planks during the 2003-04 elections and he became the Club Secretary, the somersaults he made subsequently make an interesting reading:

The same Secretary Mr Gurbir Singh, after being re-elected to the post during 2005-06, issued a notice to the effect what he called 'interim hike' in the bar rates.
Contesting the “interim hike” proposed by the Secretary, a member, CPJha sent Mr Gurbir Singh a protest e-mail, saying: "Even present liquor prices in the club are more than any ordinary bar/joint near it". He demanded that an SGM be convened to deliberate on the “interim” bar rates hike.

Mr Gurbir Singh, however, in his reply dated August 26, 2005 to CPJha, claimed that the Managing Committee’s proposal to hike the bar rates was discussed at length in the recent AGM and it was adopted 'unanimously'. He, however, said that "I don’t recall you opposing the hike, but we can check the AGM minutes".

"Also, I am sure you will agree that the Club or the facilities it offers cannot be compared to any 'ordinary' joint or pub nearby" Mr Gurbir Singh said, adding:” Having said that though, we would welcome a discussion on the financial issues involved and maybe the final committee recommendations can incorporate some of your suggestions"

The 'interim' hike in the bar rates continued till recently. However, the same Mr Gurbir Singh chose to effect one more hike in April 2008, without even bothering to take up the matter in the AGM this year. The manner in which Mr Gurbir Singh has gone about hiking the bar and canteen rates bespeaks of his utter disrespect for the General body of the Club.

This time around, members have taken the substantial hike in the bar and canteen rates with “a pound of salt” if not a proverbial “pinch of salt”. We, the members, are not aware of if a due procedure, like involving the bar and canteen sub-committee in fixing the new rates, was adopted and if it was the case then why the details have not been made known to the members. The secretary's notice claims the hike is just about 10 per cent.

However, a careful study of the old bar and new bar rates at the Press Club reveals that bar rates have gone up more than 10 per cent and, while the hike in the canteen rates ranges between 50 to 60 per cent and We have especially given below the tables of the old and bar rates, as also old and new canteen rates. The statistics shown therein are a revelation.


Price Hike in The Press Club, Mumbai
We are posting below a comparative chart of the old and new rates of food & bar items in the Press Club, Mumbai.

Food Menu

No   Item                 NewPrice     Old Price     Price Rise     Rise in %

        Tea                               6                 4                  2                  50.00
        Cofee                           7                 5                  2                  40.00

Veg. Starter
1      Chana/Sheng           10               6.5                 3.5              53.85
2     Boiled Chana            10                 7                    3                42.86
3     Batata Wada             12                9                     3                33.33
4     Bajia/Pakoda            12                9                     3                33.33
5     Samosa                       12                9                     3                33.33
6     Paneer Pakoda         20               15                   5                 33.33
7     Cheese Sandwich         15            12                    3               25.00
8     Sp.Mixture                    12             10                   2               20.00
9     Veg.Pettice/Bonda      12             10                   2               20.00
10    Veg.Cutlet                     12             10                   2               20.00
11    Ragda Pattice               12             10                   2               20.00
12    Fry Boiled Chana        12             10                   2               20.00
13    Papad Fry                        6              5                    1               20.00
14    Chinese Bhel                 20            17                   3                17.65
15    Cauliflower Fry            20            17                   3                17.65
16    Veg.Harabara Kabab 20            17                   3                17.65
17    Bread Butter                   7              6                    1                16.67
18    Finger Chips                 15             13                   2                15.38
19    Misal Pav                       15             13                   2                15.38
20    Toast Butter                   8              7                    1                14.29
21    Veg.Club Sandwich    18             16                   2                12.50
22    Masala Papad              10              9                    1                11.11
23    Chana in China           22            20                   2                10.00
24    Wada Sambar             12              11                    1                9.09


Sea Food
1    Surmai Fry/Curry        50               26                24              92.31
2    Pomfret Fry/Curry      50               32                 18              56.25
3    Bombay Duck               25               23                   2                8.70
4    Mandeli Fry                  25               23                   2                8.70

Chapati / Paratha
1    Chapati                             3                 2                    1             50.00
2    Bread Slice                      2                1.5                 0.5          33.33

Indian Dishes
1    Alu Palak                         15                10                   5             50.00
2    Dal Fry                            15                10                   5             50.00
3    Paneer Makhanwala    25               17                   8             47.06
4    Channa Masala             15                11                   4             36.36
5    Rajma Masala                15                11                  4              36.36
6    BhendiFry Masala        20               15                  5              33.33
7    Palak Paneer                  20               15                  5               33.33
8    Paneer Mutter               22               17                  5               29.41
9    Veg. Kolhapuri              18                14                 4               28.57
10   Chiken Boneless           40               32                  8              25.00
11   Mix Vegetable                16                13                  3              23.08
12   Chiken Masala              30               25                  5              20.00
13   Kheema Fry                   30                25                 5              20.00
14   Raitha                             12                 10                 2              20.00
15   Cauliflower Fry             20                17                 3               17.65
16   Veg.Makhanwala         20                17                 3               17.65
17   Chicken Moghlai          40                35                 5              14.29
18  Chi.Kolhapuri(Boneless) 45           42                  3               7.14
19   Chicken Haidrabadi    45               42                  3               7.14
20   Chicken Tangdi Fry     45               43                 2               4.65
21   Kheema Mutter             30               29                 1                3.45



Non Veg. Starter
1    Omlet Toast                     12                10                 2              20.00
2    Sp. Omlet                         18                15                 3              20.00
3    Egg Bhurjee                     15                13                 2               15.38
4    Egg Pakoda                      15                13                 2               15.38
5    Egg Roll                            16                14                 2               14.29
6    Chi.Sandwich/Toast     16                14                 2               14.29
7    Nargis Kabab                   18               16                 2               12.50
8    Boiled Egg                        10                 9                  1               11.11
9    Chiken GoldCoin            30               27                 3               11.11
10   Chiken Lollypop             34               31                 3                9.68
11   Kheema Egg Roll            25               23                2                8.70
12   chiken Lollypop Gravy 40               37                 3                8.11
13   Fry Boiled Egg                20               19                 1                5.26
14   Chiken Crispy                 40               38                2                5.26
15   Chiken Crunchy              40               38                2                5.26

Rice Preparations

1    Veg.Haidrabadi Biryani    35           3                   5               16.67
2    Veg.Biryani                          30           26                4               15.38
3    Kheema Pulav                     38           33                 5               15.15
4    Chiken Birayani                 40           35                 5               14.29
5    Chi.Bonless Birayani         45           40                 5               12.50
6    Chi.Haidrabadi Biryani   45           40                 5               12.50
7    Veg Pulav                             28           25                 3               12.00
8    Peas Pulav                           28           25                 3               12.00
9    Jeera Rice                            28           25                 3               12.00
10   Dal Fry Rice Mix               25           23                 2                 8.70
11   Methi Khichdi                    30           28                 2                 7.14
12   Palak kichdi                       30           28                 2                 7.14

Chinese Food
1    Veg.Hakka Noodle            30             26                 4               15.38
2    Chiken Fried Rice             38             33                  5               15.15
3    Chiken Schezwan Rice    38             33                  5               15.15
4    Chiken Haka Noodle        38             33                  5               15.15
5    Veg. American Chopsey   40            35                  5               14.29
6    Chic.Manchurian/Chily  35             31                  4               12.90
7    Veg.Stew Rice                    45             40                  5               12.50
8    Chi.American Chopsey    45             40                  5               12.50
9    Veg.Combination Rice     45             40                  5               12.50
10   Fish Roasted Chily            45            40                  5               12.50
11   Veg.Fried Rice                    28             25                  3               12.00
12   Chi.Schezwan Noodle      40             36                  4               11.11
13   Veg.Schezwan Noodle      32             29                  3               10.34
14   Veg Thai Rice                     32             29                  3               10.34
15   Egg Fried Rice                    32              29                  3               10.34
16   Chiken Stew Rice              60              55                  5               9.09
17   Chi.Combination Rice     60              55                  5               9.09
18   Veg.Manchurian/Chily    25              23                  2               8.70
19   Veg.Triple Rice                  50              46                  4               8.70
20   Veg.Shezwan Rice            30              28                  2               7.14
21   Chiken Triple Rice            60              56                  4               7.14

Tandoori Items
1    Paneer Tikka                       40              35                  5               14.29
2    Chiken Tikka                      60              55                  5                9.09
3    Tangdi Kabab                    45              43                  2                4.65

Soups
1    Chiken Noodle Soup         28              25                  3                12.00
2    Veg.Manchow Soup         23              21                  2                 9.52
3    Veg.Sweetcorn Soup        23              21                  2                 9.52
4    Veg.Hot & Sour Soup       23              21                  2                 9.52
5    Tomato Soup                      23              21                  2                 9.52
6    Veg. Noodle Soup              25              23                  2                 8.70
7    Chiken Manchao Soup     25              23                  2                 8.70
8    Chiken SweetCorn Soup   25              23                  2                 8.70
9    Chiken Hot & Sour Soup  25              23                  2                 8.70




No    Bar Menu                       New Price     Old Price     Price Rise Rise in %

Whisky-Scotch
1   Jose Cuervo Tequila Peg         220                 198               22             11.11
2   Jonny Walker Red Label        170                  154               16             10.39
3   Sierra Tequila Scotch Peg      200                  182               18             9.89
4   Cutty Sark Scotch Peg             200                  184               16             8.70
5   Camino Real Tequila Peg        180                  168               12             7.14
6   Chivas Regal Whisky Peg        320                  300              20             6.67
7   Jonny Walker Black LBL         320                  300              20             6.67

Whisky- Premium
1   Antiquity Blue Whisky Peg        80                  72              8              11.11
2   Teachers Whisky Peg                140                126            14              11.11
3   RC Whisky Peg                             64                  58              6              10.34
4   100 Piper Whisky Peg               130                 118             12             10.17
5   Blenders Pride Whisky Peg       66                  60              6              10.00
6   Signature Whisky Peg                66                  60              6              10.00
7   Black & White Whisky Peg       136                124            12               9.68
8   Antiquity Whisky Peg                  70                  64             6                9.38
9   Peter Scott Whisky Peg               70                  64             6                9.38
10  Single Malt Whisky Peg             70                  64             6                9.38
11  VAT 69 Whisky Peg                     84

Whisky- Regular
1   Royal Stag Whisky Peg                42                  36             6                 16.67
2   DSP Black Whisky Peg                38                  34             4                 11.76
3   Bagpiper Whisky peg                   26                  24             2                 8.33
4   Director's Special Whisky Peg   26                  24             2                 8.33
5   Green Label Whisky Peg              26                  24             2                 8.33

Rum
1   Bacardi Dark Rum Peg                 62                 56             6                 10.71
2   Bacardi White Rum Peg              62                 56             6                 10.71
3   Mc Dowell's Dark Rum Peg        26                 24             2                  8.33
4   Mc Dowell's White Rum Peg      26                 24             2                  8.33
5   Old Monk Rum Peg                       26                 24             2                  8.33

Beer
1   Fosters Beer 650 ML                      78                 70             8                 11.43
2   Fosters Beer 330 ML                      50                 45             5                 11.11
3   Kingfisher Beer 650 ML                76                 69             7                10.14
4   K.F.Strong Beer 650 ML               66                60             6                10.00
5   R.C Beer 500 ML                            44                 40             4                10.00
6   Kingfisher Beer 330 ML               40                  37             3                  8.11
7   Kingfisher Can Beer 330 ML       40                  37             3                  8.11


Wine
1   Chantilli Wine 1 Glass                     130               95             35            36.84
2   Jacobs Creek Dark Wine NIP      260            204             56           27.45
3   Jacobs Creek White Wine NIP    260            204             56            27.45
4   Fiquera(w) Wine Peg                        12                10              2            20.00
5   Port Wine NO.7 Peg                           12                10              2            20.00
6   Port Wine NO.7 Glass                      28                25              3            12.00
7   Grover(R) Wine Glass                     127               115            12            10.43
8   Grover (W) Wine Glass                  127               115            12            10.43
9   Fiquera (R) Wine 375 ML              86                 78              8            10.26
10  Fiquera (R) Wine 750 ML            172               156             16           10.26
11  Fiquera (w) Wine 375 ML              86                 78              8            10.26
12  Fiquera (w) Wine 750 ML            172               156             16           10.26
13  Fiquera (R) Wine Glass                   33                 30              3            10.00
14  Fiquera (w) Wine Glass                  33                 30              3            10.00
15  Grover (R) Wine Half Bottle       286              260             26            10.00
16  Grover (R) Wine Peg                        44                40              4            10.00
17  Grover (W) Wine Half Bottle       286             260             26           10.00
18  Grover (W) Wine Peg                       44                40              4           10.00
19  Jacobs Creek (R) Wine Peg          187             170               17        10.00
20  Jacobs Creek (W) Wine Peg        187             170               17        10.00
21  Jacobs Creek (R) Wine Glass       187             170               17        10.00
22  Jacobs Creek (W) Wine Glass     187             170               17        10.00
23  Port Wine NO.7 750 ML                88               80                8        10.00

GIN
1   Gilbeys Gin Peg                                  30               26                4            15.38
2   Forbes Gin Peg                                  24               22                2              9.09


Brandy
1   Golconda Brandy Peg                      24               22                2              9.09


Vodka
1   Fuel Vodka Peg                                  40               36                4              11.11
2   Smirnof Vodka peg                          62               56                6              10.71
3   Absolute Vodka Peg                        160             148              12                8.11
4   Alcazar Vodka Peg                            30               28                2                7.14
5   Romanov Vodka Peg                        30               28                2                7.14
6   White Mischief Vodka Peg             30               28                2                7.14


Breezer
1   Bacardi Breezer 275ML                   56               51                5                9.80

Cocktails & Mocktails
1   Caipiroschka                                      90               70              20           28.57
2   Tropical Cooler                                 25               20                5           25.00
3   Fresh Fruit Smoothies                     35               30                5           16.67
4   Virgin Mary                                       40               35                 5             14.29
5   Bloody Mary                                      90               80               10           12.50
6   Mojito                                                 90               80               10             12.50
7   Lemon Iced Tea                                20               20                0           0.00

Soft Drink
1   Soda 330 ML                                      12                9                 3                33.33
2   Lime Cordial Peg                              10                8                 2                25.00
3   Honey 1 Spoon                                    6                5                  1                20.00
4   Cold Drink 300 ML                          14              12                 2                16.67
5   Diet Pepsi 330 ML                            30              27                3                11.11
6   Diet Coke 330 ML                             36              33                3                 9.09
7   Tonic Water Schwepps 300ML    40              37              3                 8.11


Note

* The rates in Blue colour shows the price hike more than 12%
# The rates in Red colour shows the price hike more than 25%



“After the recent hike, effected nearly a month after the inauguration of the new building of the Club on March 28, 2008, the average bar and food bills of the members have gone up by as much as 50 to 60 per cent. And this is not because that the members have increased their level of liquor intake or consumption of food items at the club. The consumption of these items by the members is more or less the same,” Sai Prasan, who had contested for the post of the Club's treasurer in 2006-08 elections, said after studying his and some other's bill for the last two months.
According to him, the 'outgoing' Managing Committee of the Club - led by its “Hon” Secretary Mr Gurbir Singh has jacked up the prices of both the food and bar items by 12 per cent to 95 per cent. The hike is more steep in food items than in the bar menu.

Sai Prasan is quite right as we, in our own study, found that the hike of a simple item like Shing is more than 50 per cent, while in the case of Surmai fish the hike is almost 100 per cent.

The new rates for the bar and food came into effect since April 29, 2008 when the inflation rate was below 8 per cent. The general impression among the members regularly visiting is that the MC has left no stone unturned to turn the club into a starred Hotel, where only elite sections of the society can afford to spend.
“There is no difference in the price list of a big bar & Hotel and the Press Club, now nicknamed the Club House", a member working for a language newspaper lamented, adding that now only those few members who earned fat salary in pink newspapers could afford to come to their club.

The other facts also falsify the secretary's reason to effect the price hike. The MC's annual report clearly says that as compared with the financial year 2006-07, expenses on the staff salary etc has remained more or less the same in the year 2007-08 and water and other charges are also the same. The members used the new club building just for four days in the last financial year and therefore they have reasons to know the actual reason for increase in the power charges.
Proper accounting norms say that the expenses on consumption of power in construction work of the new building has to be showed under separate heads.
And if the power charges have gone up in the club during the last two months because of air conditioning, then who is responsible for it? Is it not an architectural blunder that no provision has been made for ordinary fans in the area covered by Centralised Cooling System (CCS), which would have come in handy in turning off the CCS when it is not required?

Not only the Bar room, the Media Room and Lounge and Reception Counter area, but even the staircase and toilet are centrally air conditioned!! What is the total sitting capacity in the entire Centralised AC covered area and what was the sitting capacity in the same area in the old building? We can say with all the facts at our command that the sitting capacity in the said area has in fact gone down substantially.

If Mr Gurbir Singh does not agree with us, then let him provide the figures. We can only add to what we have said. Even the numbers of urinals and toilets have gone down.