1 month ago
Charity Commissioner Rejects Wilson School Redevelopment Plan
The Charity Commissioner's office in Mumbai has rejected a plan to redevelop the historic Wilson High School.
The applicant, United Church of Northern India Trust Association (UCNITA), wanted to redevelop the school building, which dates back to 1854.
The plan included building a new school and paying ₹35.50 crore to the trust.
However, the Joint Charity Commissioner Mahesh Balkrishna Lambe rejected the application because it did not meet the requirements of the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act.
The commissioner said the applicant did not show a real need for redevelopment, the offer was not fair, and the process was not transparent.
The former principal of Wilson College, Dr Vishwas J. Sirwaiya, plans to challenge the decision in the Bombay High Court.
Church activist Advocate Cyril Dara welcomed the ruling, saying it will help protect church properties from illegal sales.
The Charity Commissioner's office rejected the redevelopment application for Wilson High School in Mumbai.
The applicant, UCNITA, failed to meet statutory requirements under the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act, 1950.
The proposed redevelopment included building a new school and paying ₹35.50 crore to the trust.
The Joint Charity Commissioner found the application inadequate in need, valuation, and transparency.
The former principal, Dr Vishwas J. Sirwaiya, plans to challenge the order in the Bombay High Court.
- Who
- United Church of Northern India Trust Association (UCNITA), Joint Charity Commissioner Mahesh Balkrishna Lambe, Dr Vishwas J. Sirwaiya, Advocate Cyril Dara
- What
- Rejection of redevelopment application for Wilson High School
- Where
- Mumbai, India
- When
- July 9
- Why
- Failure to meet statutory requirements under the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act, 1950
Pro-Redevelopment
Anti-Redevelopment
Need for Redevelopment
Pro-Redevelopment
The school building is historic and needs redevelopment due to its age and condition.
Anti-Redevelopment
The redevelopment plan is not transparent and may not be in the best interest of the trust and its beneficiaries.
Authority and Valuation
Pro-Redevelopment
The applicant has the authority to seek sanction for redevelopment.
Anti-Redevelopment
The applicant lacks the authority and the valuation offered is inadequate.
Key facts
- Applicant
- United Church of Northern India Trust Association (UCNITA)
- Property Size
- 3,824.45 sq m
- Proposed Payment to Trust
- ₹35.50 crore
- Date of Order
- July 9
- Joint Charity Commissioner
- Mahesh Balkrishna Lambe
- Section of Act
- Section 36(1)(a) of the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act, 1950
- School Building Year
- 1854
Quotes
Dr Vishwas J. Sirwaiya
Former Wilson College principal and applicant representative
“"How many more years can it last? The school needs to be redeveloped. It is a wooden structure and has survived because of this. Concrete would not last for more than 60 years."”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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