ICAI Baroda branch bags national award

For the first time in its history of 36 years, the Baroda branch of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has bagged the national award for the best branch of the institute.

The Vadodara branch has been chosen the best for its activities for members and others from around 100 branches of ICAI in the country and 12 overseas branches for 2003.

N Narayanamurthy, chairman, Infosys, handed over the shield for the best branch to Sanjeev Shah, chairman of the Baroda branch of the ICAI, at the 54th annual function in New Delhi last week.

The criteria for deciding the award are innovative programmes, activities for the general public, activities for the trade and industry community, programmes for students and compliance with ICAI guidelines.

Shah said some of the conferences, seminars, lecture meetings, study circle meetings and workshops conducted by the branch were appreciated by many people.

"For example, we held a workshop for the policemen attached to the economic offences cell of the state police to provide information on the changing trends in financial crimes," Shah said.

In all, the branch conducted 167 programmes during 2003.

Other highlights of the year included a public programme on investor awareness, a seminar on information technology, a public programme on value added tax, a workshop on accounting standards in banking industry and another on functioning of non-banking financial corporations.

The award is considered to be the highest recognition by the ICAI. Although the Vadodara branch is not among the largest branches, it has received this award, Shah said.

Shah said it was a matter of pride that the branch received this award. The branch will continue to hold programmes for the public, students and various organisations, he said.

The institute's 12 overseas chapters include those in London,Nairobi, Indonesia, Dubai, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi.