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: abhijith@wikimedia.in
M: +91-9866898311
On Wednesday, 14 May 2014 12:15 AM, Hari Prasad Nadig <hpnadig@gmail.com> 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,