Re: [Wikimediaindia-l] [Wikimedia-in-blr] On CIS's grants request from Wikimedia Foundation

2014-05-15 Thread Vishnu 

Dear Hari,

I am afraid that the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) is being 
interpreted selectively here. While Section 3 of the FCRA is important 
it is important to read it in conjunction with Section 4 of the FCRA (an 
exception clause for Section 3), which states that even those who 
participate in broadcast and electronic media can receive foreign money, 
“*by way of salary, wages or other remuneration due to him* or to any 
group of persons working under him, from any foreign source or by way of 
payment in the ordinary course of business transacted in India by such 
foreign source”.


I do not think there is any violation in Pavanaja writing for Prajavani.

Best,
Vishnu

On Wednesday 14 May 2014 12:15 AM, Hari Prasad Nadig wrote:

Dear Pavanaja,

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

You have received an annual compensation of about *17 Lakhs* last year 
(that also excludes travel and other reimbursements) as per the 
declaration made by Vishnu on the talk page of this proposal [1]. This 
came from the funds granted to CIS that was received from WMF through 
FCRA. And this will be increased by 20% for this year?


Further, for Kannada alone, *12.3 Lakhs* seem to be set aside out of 
which you seem to be the primary beneficiary. [2]


And all this while, you have been a columnist for Prajavani.

This seems to be a clear violation of Foreign Contribution Regulation 
Act as outlined by Srikanth on the copied email.


Regards,

[1] - 
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants_talk:APG/Proposals/2013-2014_round2/The_Centre_for_Internet_and_Society/Proposal_form#CIS_Staff_details
[2] - 
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/India_Access_To_Knowledge/Draft_Work_plan_July_2014_-_June_2015/Budget




On 13 May 2014 22:29, Srikanth Ramakrishnan > wrote:


Pavanaja,
as per the FCRA:
3. (1) No foreign contribution shall be accepted by any- (g)
association or company engaged in the production or broadcast of
audio news or audio visual news or current affairs programmes
through any electronic mode, or any other electronic form as
defined in clause ® of sub-section (I) of section 2 of the
Information Technology Act, 2000 or any other mode of mass
communication; (h) correspondent or columnist, cartoonist, editor,
owner of the association or company referred to in clause (g).

Writing a weekly column, as a freelancer makes one a columnist.
*
*
*
*


On 13 May 2014 15:52, Pavanaja U B mailto:pavan...@vishvakannada.com>> wrote:

Hi,

There is a factual error. I am not employed with Prajavani. I
write just one column per week as freelancer.

Regards,

Pavanaja

*From:*wikimedia-in-blr-boun...@lists.wikimedia.org

[mailto:wikimedia-in-blr-boun...@lists.wikimedia.org
] *On
Behalf Of *Srikanth Ramakrishnan
*Sent:* 13 May 2014 12:50
*To:* Wikimedia India Community list
*Cc:* Kannada Wikipedia Discussion List wikik...@wikipedia.org
; Mailing list for Wikimedians
/ Wikipedians in Bangalore, India
*Subject:* Re: [Wikimedia-in-blr] [Wikimediaindia-l] On CIS's
grants request from Wikimedia Foundation

Hi all, I have one important question here.

The Foreign Contribution Regulatory Act prohibits money
received from abroad to be used as payments or salaries to
anyone employed with the press or media.

I believe Dr. Pavanaja is a columnist for Prajavani. How does
this work out?

It's just a preemptive question.

On 12 May 2014 17:45, Hari Prasad Nadig mailto:hpna...@gmail.com>> wrote:

Fellow Wikimedians,

As you all know, Center for Internet and Society, Bangalore
has sought funding of about *1.8 Crores* through the FDC
process from Wikimedia Foundation to carry out work on seven
local language projects in India that includes Kannada, Telugu
among others. [1]

The funds primarily cover the salaries of the people belonging
to the CIS-A2K team among other administrative expenses and
other expenses as outlined on their proposal page.

The proposal was up for Community review and comments until
April 30th and many have recorded their response about it [2].
Several community members have come forward in pointing out
that the staff salaries being paid and that being proposed -
are quite on the higher side (which is up to 2.4 Lakhs per
month per person).

Apart from the concerns on extremely high salaries for Indian
norms of the team members of CIS-A2K team, there have been
some serious concerns raised about some apparent Conflict of
Interest [3] and non-compliance wi

Re: [Wikimediaindia-l] [Wikimedia-in-blr] On CIS's grants request from Wikimedia Foundation

2014-05-14 Thread Ravishankar 
Abhijith,

CIS is an independent organization with it's own governing board.

CIS consults WMIN and the volunteer community regarding its programs and
appointments.

But, CIS has the final authority on deciding about its budget and staff.

Ravi
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Re: [Wikimediaindia-l] [Wikimedia-in-blr] On CIS's grants request from Wikimedia Foundation

2014-05-13 Thread Abhijith Jayanthi 
Hi Hari, Srikant and Vishnu,

I want to understand couple of points in this regard, I would appreciate if 
each of you can share your insights on these questions: 
(1)  Was the Wikimedia India Chapter Board involved in framing up this FDC 
Proposal and fixing compensation? Or was it left to CIS to address it? And that 
Wikimedia Community woke up late to realities of life.
(2) Compensation to the tune of few lakhs per month per person will definitely 
need a more stringent procedures for appraisals and appointments. What are the 
steps that Wikimedia India Chapter has taken to initiate proper scrutiny and 
appraisal? 
(3) On an additional note, considering the hiring by CIS is related to 
Wikimedia related activities, are the procedures in line with the standard 
practices that are adopted by Wikimedia Foundation elsewhere/worldwide? 


Considering we are a non-profit, and that we are not a thriving entity with our 
programme budgets running into crores of rupees, administrative expenses 
running beyond even 20% is a red flag. Just that we are a non-profit, does not 
mean we will need to fix salaries/compensations on a appointed-to-enjoy basis, 
rather I strongly recommend that the Board takes note of adopting a more 
performance based incentive structure. Is that already in place for managerial 
roles such as a Programme Director and other senior management positions? I 
feel terrible and sorry to learn of the proceedings so far, and that we did not 
have enough budget to support an admin salary for Sowmyan. 

I am actually surprised that the Budgetary Allocations find no mention for 
Briefing and Support Training for Board Members to equip themselves with few 
basic running structures and legal points to take note, considering it will not 
take huge budget. And a case in point for the board members of Wikimedia India 
Chapter, that spending beyond the line by a related party agency through which 
funds were received for activities related to Wikimedia, will not absolve the 
board members of the responsibility of oversight in legal course of action by 
any member (past or present) of the Wikimedia India Chapter ( I understand it 
is registered as a Society). I recommend the Board takes immediate cognizance 
of the proceedings so far, red flag issues at appropriate levels and initiate 
corrective action.

regards
Abhijith

_Abhijith JayanthiE: abhij...@wikimedia.inm: 
+91-9866898311
On Wednesday, 14 May 2014 12:15 AM, Hari Prasad Nadig  wrote:
 
Dear Pavanaja,

Please correct me if I'm wrong. 

You have received an annual compensation of about 17 Lakhs last year (that also 
excludes travel and other reimbursements) as per the declaration made by Vishnu 
on the talk page of this proposal [1]. This came from the funds granted to CIS 
that was received from WMF through FCRA. And this will be increased by 20% for 
this year? 


Further, for Kannada alone, 12.3 Lakhs seem to be set aside out of which you 
seem to be the primary beneficiary. [2]

And all this while, you have been a columnist for Prajavani. 

This seems to be a clear violation of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act as 
outlined by Srikanth on the copied email. 


Regards,


[1] - 
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants_talk:APG/Proposals/2013-2014_round2/The_Centre_for_Internet_and_Society/Proposal_form#CIS_Staff_details
[2] - 
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/India_Access_To_Knowledge/Draft_Work_plan_July_2014_-_June_2015/Budget





On 13 May 2014 22:29, Srikanth Ramakrishnan  wrote:

Pavanaja, 
>as per the FCRA:
>3. (1) No foreign contribution shall be accepted by any- (g) association or 
>company engaged in the production or broadcast of audio news or audio visual 
>news or current affairs programmes through any electronic mode, or any other 
>electronic form as defined in clause ® of sub-section (I) of section 2 of the 
>Information Technology Act, 2000 or any other mode of mass communication; (h) 
>correspondent or columnist, cartoonist, editor, owner of the association or 
>company referred to in clause (g).
>
>
>
>Writing a weekly column, as a freelancer makes one a columnist.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>On 13 May 2014 15:52, Pavanaja U B  wrote:
>
>Hi,
>> 
>>There is a factual error. I am not employed with Prajavani. I write just one 
>>column per week as freelancer.
>> 
>>Regards,
>>Pavanaja
>> 
>> 
>>From:wikimedia-in-blr-boun...@lists.wikimedia.org 
>>[mailto:wikimedia-in-blr-boun...@lists.wikimedia.org] On Behalf Of Srikanth 
>>Ramakrishnan
>>Sent: 13 May 2014 12:50
>>To: Wikimedia India Community list
>>Cc: Kannada Wikipedia Discussion List wikik...@wikipedia.org; Mailing list 
>>for Wikimedians / Wikipedians in Bangalore, India
>>Subject: Re: [Wikimedia-in-blr] [Wikimediaindia-l] On CIS's grants request 
>>from Wikimedia Foundation
>> 
>>Hi all, I have one important question here.
>>The Foreign Contribution Regulatory Act prohibits money received from abroad 
>>to be used as payments or salaries to anyone employed with th

Re: [Wikimediaindia-l] [Wikimedia-in-blr] On CIS's grants request from Wikimedia Foundation

2014-05-13 Thread Hari Prasad Nadig 
Dear Pavanaja,

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

You have received an annual compensation of about *17 Lakhs* last year
(that also excludes travel and other reimbursements) as per the declaration
made by Vishnu on the talk page of this proposal [1]. This came from the
funds granted to CIS that was received from WMF through FCRA. And this will
be increased by 20% for this year?

Further, for Kannada alone, *12.3 Lakhs* seem to be set aside out of which
you seem to be the primary beneficiary. [2]

And all this while, you have been a columnist for Prajavani.

This seems to be a clear violation of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act
as outlined by Srikanth on the copied email.

Regards,

[1] -
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants_talk:APG/Proposals/2013-2014_round2/The_Centre_for_Internet_and_Society/Proposal_form#CIS_Staff_details
[2] -
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/India_Access_To_Knowledge/Draft_Work_plan_July_2014_-_June_2015/Budget



On 13 May 2014 22:29, Srikanth Ramakrishnan  wrote:

> Pavanaja,
> as per the FCRA:
> 3. (1) No foreign contribution shall be accepted by any- (g) association
> or company engaged in the production or broadcast of audio news or audio
> visual news or current affairs programmes through any electronic mode, or
> any other electronic form as defined in clause ® of sub-section (I) of
> section 2 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 or any other mode of mass
> communication; (h) correspondent or columnist, cartoonist, editor, owner of
> the association or company referred to in clause (g).
>
> Writing a weekly column, as a freelancer makes one a columnist.
>
>
>
>
> On 13 May 2014 15:52, Pavanaja U B  wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>>
>>
>> There is a factual error. I am not employed with Prajavani. I write just
>> one column per week as freelancer.
>>
>>
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Pavanaja
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> *From:* wikimedia-in-blr-boun...@lists.wikimedia.org [mailto:
>> wikimedia-in-blr-boun...@lists.wikimedia.org] *On Behalf Of *Srikanth
>> Ramakrishnan
>> *Sent:* 13 May 2014 12:50
>> *To:* Wikimedia India Community list
>> *Cc:* Kannada Wikipedia Discussion List wikik...@wikipedia.org; Mailing
>> list for Wikimedians / Wikipedians in Bangalore, India
>> *Subject:* Re: [Wikimedia-in-blr] [Wikimediaindia-l] On CIS's grants
>> request from Wikimedia Foundation
>>
>>
>>
>> Hi all, I have one important question here.
>>
>> The Foreign Contribution Regulatory Act prohibits money received from
>> abroad to be used as payments or salaries to anyone employed with the press
>> or media.
>>
>> I believe Dr. Pavanaja is a columnist for Prajavani. How does this work
>> out?
>>
>> It's just a preemptive question.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On 12 May 2014 17:45, Hari Prasad Nadig  wrote:
>>
>> Fellow Wikimedians,
>>
>> As you all know, Center for Internet and Society, Bangalore has sought
>> funding of about *1.8 Crores* through the FDC process from Wikimedia
>> Foundation to carry out work on seven local language projects in India that
>> includes Kannada, Telugu among others. [1]
>>
>> The funds primarily cover the salaries of the people belonging to the
>> CIS-A2K team among other administrative expenses and other expenses as
>> outlined on their proposal page.
>>
>>
>>
>> The proposal was up for Community review and comments until April 30th
>> and many have recorded their response about it [2]. Several community
>> members have come forward in pointing out that the staff salaries being
>> paid and that being proposed - are quite on the higher side (which is up to
>> 2.4 Lakhs per month per person).
>>
>>
>>
>> Apart from the concerns on extremely high salaries for Indian norms of
>> the team members of CIS-A2K team, there have been some serious concerns
>> raised about some apparent Conflict of Interest [3] and non-compliance with
>> the local laws (mainly Karnataka Societies act and the Foreign Contribution
>> Regulation Act).
>>
>> However, looks like the proposal has moved forward through the FDC
>> process for funding despite the concerns raised and has gotten through to
>> the next stage.
>>
>> More concerns have now been raised by several community members on the
>> Staff Assessment discussion page here:
>>
>> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants_talk:APG/Proposals/2013-2014_round2/The_Centre_for_Internet_and_Society/Staff_proposal_assessment
>>
>> I invite you to participate in the discussion and help steer this in the
>> right direction.
>>
>>
>> [1] -
>> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:APG/Proposals/2013-2014_round2/The_Centre_for_Internet_and_Society/Proposal_form
>> [2] -
>> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants_talk:APG/Proposals/2013-2014_round2/The_Centre_for_Internet_and_Society/Proposal_form
>> [3] -
>> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/India_Access_To_Knowledge/Draft_Work_plan_July_2014_-_June_2015/Budget#Budget_as_per_Expenditure_Heads
>>
>> Thank you,
>>
>> --
>> Hari Prasad Nadig
>> http://hpnadig.net
>> http://twitter.com/hpnadig
>> http://flickr.com/hpnadig
>>
>>
>> _

Re: [Wikimediaindia-l] [Wikimedia-in-blr] On CIS's grants request from Wikimedia Foundation

2014-05-13 Thread Srikanth Ramakrishnan 
Pavanaja,
as per the FCRA:
3. (1) No foreign contribution shall be accepted by any- (g) association or
company engaged in the production or broadcast of audio news or audio
visual news or current affairs programmes through any electronic mode, or
any other electronic form as defined in clause ® of sub-section (I) of
section 2 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 or any other mode of mass
communication; (h) correspondent or columnist, cartoonist, editor, owner of
the association or company referred to in clause (g).

Writing a weekly column, as a freelancer makes one a columnist.




On 13 May 2014 15:52, Pavanaja U B  wrote:

> Hi,
>
>
>
> There is a factual error. I am not employed with Prajavani. I write just
> one column per week as freelancer.
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Pavanaja
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* wikimedia-in-blr-boun...@lists.wikimedia.org [mailto:
> wikimedia-in-blr-boun...@lists.wikimedia.org] *On Behalf Of *Srikanth
> Ramakrishnan
> *Sent:* 13 May 2014 12:50
> *To:* Wikimedia India Community list
> *Cc:* Kannada Wikipedia Discussion List wikik...@wikipedia.org; Mailing
> list for Wikimedians / Wikipedians in Bangalore, India
> *Subject:* Re: [Wikimedia-in-blr] [Wikimediaindia-l] On CIS's grants
> request from Wikimedia Foundation
>
>
>
> Hi all, I have one important question here.
>
> The Foreign Contribution Regulatory Act prohibits money received from
> abroad to be used as payments or salaries to anyone employed with the press
> or media.
>
> I believe Dr. Pavanaja is a columnist for Prajavani. How does this work
> out?
>
> It's just a preemptive question.
>
>
>
>
>
> On 12 May 2014 17:45, Hari Prasad Nadig  wrote:
>
> Fellow Wikimedians,
>
> As you all know, Center for Internet and Society, Bangalore has sought
> funding of about *1.8 Crores* through the FDC process from Wikimedia
> Foundation to carry out work on seven local language projects in India that
> includes Kannada, Telugu among others. [1]
>
> The funds primarily cover the salaries of the people belonging to the
> CIS-A2K team among other administrative expenses and other expenses as
> outlined on their proposal page.
>
>
>
> The proposal was up for Community review and comments until April 30th and
> many have recorded their response about it [2]. Several community members
> have come forward in pointing out that the staff salaries being paid and
> that being proposed - are quite on the higher side (which is up to 2.4
> Lakhs per month per person).
>
>
>
> Apart from the concerns on extremely high salaries for Indian norms of the
> team members of CIS-A2K team, there have been some serious concerns raised
> about some apparent Conflict of Interest [3] and non-compliance with the
> local laws (mainly Karnataka Societies act and the Foreign Contribution
> Regulation Act).
>
> However, looks like the proposal has moved forward through the FDC process
> for funding despite the concerns raised and has gotten through to the next
> stage.
>
> More concerns have now been raised by several community members on the
> Staff Assessment discussion page here:
>
> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants_talk:APG/Proposals/2013-2014_round2/The_Centre_for_Internet_and_Society/Staff_proposal_assessment
>
> I invite you to participate in the discussion and help steer this in the
> right direction.
>
>
> [1] -
> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:APG/Proposals/2013-2014_round2/The_Centre_for_Internet_and_Society/Proposal_form
> [2] -
> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants_talk:APG/Proposals/2013-2014_round2/The_Centre_for_Internet_and_Society/Proposal_form
> [3] -
> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/India_Access_To_Knowledge/Draft_Work_plan_July_2014_-_June_2015/Budget#Budget_as_per_Expenditure_Heads
>
> Thank you,
>
> --
> Hari Prasad Nadig
> http://hpnadig.net
> http://twitter.com/hpnadig
> http://flickr.com/hpnadig
>
>
> ___
> Wikimediaindia-l mailing list
> Wikimediaindia-l@lists.wikimedia.org
> To unsubscribe from the list / change mailing preferences visit
> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediaindia-l
>
>
>
>
>
> --
>
> Regards,
> Srikanth Ramakrishnan,
>
> What goes around, may not necessarily come around, it may simply bounce
> back.
>
>
>
> Please sign this petition for Volvo buses in Coimbatore:
>
>
> https://www.change.org/en-IN/petitions/the-transport-minister-tamil-nadu-introduction-of-volvo-city-buses-in-the-city-of-coimbatore
>
>
>
>
>
> ___
> Wikimediaindia-l mailing list
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> To unsubscribe from the list / change mailing preferences visit
> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediaindia-l
>
>


-- 
Regards,
Srikanth Ramakrishnan,
What goes around, may not necessarily come around, it may simply bounce
back.

Please sign this petition for Volvo buses in Coimbatore:
https://www.change.org/en-IN/petitions/the-transport-minister-tamil-nadu-introduction-of-volvo-city-buses-in-the-city-o

Re: [Wikimediaindia-l] [Wikimedia-in-blr] On CIS's grants request from Wikimedia Foundation

2014-05-13 Thread Pavanaja U B 
Hi,

 

There is a factual error. I am not employed with Prajavani. I write just one 
column per week as freelancer.

 

Regards,

Pavanaja

 

 

From: wikimedia-in-blr-boun...@lists.wikimedia.org 
[mailto:wikimedia-in-blr-boun...@lists.wikimedia.org] On Behalf Of Srikanth 
Ramakrishnan
Sent: 13 May 2014 12:50
To: Wikimedia India Community list
Cc: Kannada Wikipedia Discussion List wikik...@wikipedia.org; Mailing list for 
Wikimedians / Wikipedians in Bangalore, India
Subject: Re: [Wikimedia-in-blr] [Wikimediaindia-l] On CIS's grants request from 
Wikimedia Foundation

 

Hi all, I have one important question here.

The Foreign Contribution Regulatory Act prohibits money received from abroad to 
be used as payments or salaries to anyone employed with the press or media.

I believe Dr. Pavanaja is a columnist for Prajavani. How does this work out?

It's just a preemptive question.

 

 

On 12 May 2014 17:45, Hari Prasad Nadig  wrote:

Fellow Wikimedians,

As you all know, Center for Internet and Society, Bangalore has sought funding 
of about 1.8 Crores through the FDC process from Wikimedia Foundation to carry 
out work on seven local language projects in India that includes Kannada, 
Telugu among others. [1]

The funds primarily cover the salaries of the people belonging to the CIS-A2K 
team among other administrative expenses and other expenses as outlined on 
their proposal page. 

 

The proposal was up for Community review and comments until April 30th and many 
have recorded their response about it [2]. Several community members have come 
forward in pointing out that the staff salaries being paid and that being 
proposed - are quite on the higher side (which is up to 2.4 Lakhs per month per 
person). 

 

Apart from the concerns on extremely high salaries for Indian norms of the team 
members of CIS-A2K team, there have been some serious concerns raised about 
some apparent Conflict of Interest [3] and non-compliance with the local laws 
(mainly Karnataka Societies act and the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act). 

However, looks like the proposal has moved forward through the FDC process for 
funding despite the concerns raised and has gotten through to the next stage. 

More concerns have now been raised by several community members on the Staff 
Assessment discussion page here:
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants_talk:APG/Proposals/2013-2014_round2/The_Centre_for_Internet_and_Society/Staff_proposal_assessment

I invite you to participate in the discussion and help steer this in the right 
direction. 


[1] - 
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:APG/Proposals/2013-2014_round2/The_Centre_for_Internet_and_Society/Proposal_form
[2] - 
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants_talk:APG/Proposals/2013-2014_round2/The_Centre_for_Internet_and_Society/Proposal_form
[3] - 
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/India_Access_To_Knowledge/Draft_Work_plan_July_2014_-_June_2015/Budget#Budget_as_per_Expenditure_Heads



Thank you,

-- 
Hari Prasad Nadig 
http://hpnadig.net 
http://twitter.com/hpnadig
http://flickr.com/hpnadig 


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-- 

Regards,
Srikanth Ramakrishnan,

What goes around, may not necessarily come around, it may simply bounce back.

 

Please sign this petition for Volvo buses in Coimbatore:

https://www.change.org/en-IN/petitions/the-transport-minister-tamil-nadu-introduction-of-volvo-city-buses-in-the-city-of-coimbatore

 

 

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