CA Mayur Agrawal

Chairman - EIRC

Message from Chairman, EIRC

Dear Professional Colleagues,

Greetings!

August reminds us that progress is not merely about how far we have travelled, but about how responsibly we shape the road ahead. As the nation celebrated the spirit of Independence, at EIRC too, the month became a reflection of that very spirit — the freedom to think differently, the courage to embrace change and the commitment to contribute meaningfully.

From knowledge and professional development to collaboration, service and celebration, August witnessed initiatives that brought our members and students together with renewed energy. Each programme was another step in our journey of NOW, reinforcing our endeavour to make every interaction relevant, every initiative purposeful and every opportunity a catalyst for growth. The growing participation across the Eastern Region continues to strengthen our belief that when we Learn together, Innovate with purpose and Lead with responsibility, transformation is not something we wait for —we create it, NOW.

Our focus, however, extends beyond professional excellence. As a profession entrusted with public confidence, we have a responsibility towards the larger ecosystem in which we operate. Initiatives centred around public financial management, governance, accountability and responsible stewardship of resources reaffirm the important role that Chartered Accountants can play in strengthening institutions and contributing to nation-building.

A defining highlight of the month was the Workshop on “Strengthening Governance in Public Financial Management: A Legislative Perspective”, organised specially for the newly elected Members of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. The programme witnessed the participation of around 100 MLAs and focused on strengthening their understanding of key aspects of public financial management, including the State Budget, financial statements and Balance Sheet analysis. The sessions were designed to provide legislators with a practical financial perspective to enable more informed understanding and deliberation on matters concerning public finances. This initiative was particularly significant as it took the expertise of the Chartered Accountancy profession beyond the profession and into the larger framework of public governance. By sharing our knowledge with those entrusted with legislative responsibilities, we reaffirmed the role of Chartered Accountants not merely as financial professionals, but as knowledge partners in strengthening governance, accountability and nation-building.

Another distinctive initiative during the month was the hosting of Awareness & Mentorship Programme for CA Members aspiring for Public Service, aptly titled “Chartered Minds in Public Service: Inspiring the Next Generation.” The programme brought together an inspiring panel of Chartered Accountants who have made their mark across diverse spheres of public service — CA Rathindra Bose, Hon’ble Speaker, West Bengal Legislative Assembly; CA (Dr.) Rajesh Kumar, IPS (Retd.) & Member, West Bengal Legislative Assembly; CA Gaurav Sharma, IPS, IGP–Special Task Force; CA Vivek Dhrolia, ICFS, Director, Department of Telecommunications, Government of India; and CA Pravesh Sharma, Deputy Director, SFIO, Kolkata. Their journeys and experiences opened a wider horizon for our members, demonstrating that the knowledge, discipline and analytical abilities developed through the CA profession can become a strong foundation for public administration, policymaking and nation-building. The programme sought to inspire and mentor the next generation of Chartered Accountants to look beyond conventional career pathways and explore opportunities to serve, lead and create impact in public life.

We celebrated 80th Independence Day on 15th August 2026. The National Flag was hoisted at all the ICAI Buildings in Eastern Region including the Regional Offices and their Branches. In ICAI Bhawan Russell Street the National Flag was hoisted in the presence of the Regional Council Members and Central Council Members from Eastern Region. Past Chairpersons and Past Central Council Members from Eastern Region were present along with other Members and Students.

August also witnessed a focused drive towards Financial and Tax Literacy, taking our professional knowledge beyond the profession and closer to society. Financial and Tax Literacy week was observed from 17th to 23rd August 2026. A series of initiatives were organised on different dates, including Financial and Tax Literacy Awareness Clinics for the public at large, Workshops on Financial and Tax Literacy Awareness, and the innovative “Investors’ Adventure Game”, which brought an engaging and experiential dimension to investor education. Through these initiatives, EIRC sought to simplify financial and taxation concepts, promote informed decision-making and reinforce the role of Chartered Accountants in building a financially aware and empowered society.

74th Annual General Meeting of the Eastern India Regional Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India was held on 27th August 2026. In this AGM the Audited Accounts of EIRC for the year ended 31st March 2026 and the Annual Report of the EIRC for the period ending 31st March 2026 were passed and adopted by the Members of Eastern Region. This year the Annual Report has been extensively modified and was given a corporate look.

सा विद्या

या विमुक्तये॥

“True knowledge is that which liberates”

As we celebrated the spirit of Independence in August, this timeless thought found a special resonance in our journey at EIRC. True freedom is strengthened by knowledge — knowledge that enables individuals to understand, question, decide and act with confidence. Whether through our initiatives on financial and tax literacy, investor awareness, or our engagement with newly elected legislators on public financial management, our endeavour throughout the month was to take knowledge beyond professional boundaries and use it as an instrument of empowerment. As Chartered Accountants, we have the privilege of possessing knowledge that can create a wider impact; our greater responsibility is to share it, simplify it and use it for the larger good of society and the nation.

Key Programmes

Seminar on e-Commerce Transactions for MSME on 1st August 2026 under the aegis of MSME & Start-up Committee of ICAI. The speakers were CA Sushil Kumar Goyal, Past Council Member, ICAI, CA Anuj Lohia and CA Shiv Kumar Bansal. This programme discussed the future of MSME in the state and encouraged people to venture into setting up of MSMEs The MSMEs are also encouraged to have internet based digital transactions.

Seminar on Tax Audit & TDS/TCS under the Income-tax Act, 2025 on 4th August 2026. The speakers were CA Ghanshyam Kalani and CA Asim Prakash. This important Seminar was a knowledge based programme for the members in conducting Tax Audit and filing of TDS Return.

Seminar on Empowering CA Firms: Practice Growth, Capacity Building & Global Professional Opportunities in Qatar on 6th August 2026. The Speaker CA Nirlep Bhatt, former Chairman of Doha Chapter of ICAI illuminated the members with knowledge regarding the Professional Opportunities in Qatar.

Seminar on Valuation on 7th and 8th August 2026 under the aegis of Insolvency, Bankruptcy and Valuation Standards Board of ICAI. The Speakers were CA Anuj Sangharajka, Mr. Pradeep Singh, CA Pratik Sengupta, CA (Dr.) Vikash Goel, CA Gandharv Jain. The Seminar was a much awaited one for the members who wish to practice as valuer.

Forthcoming Events (Details given in separate page)

Seminar on Competition Law and Awareness Programme on Insurance on 2nd September 2026. This programme divided in two segments will focus on Competition Law in Mergers & Acquisitions: A Guide for Chartered Accountants by Shri Rakesh Kumar, Adviser (Eco.) Competition Commission of India and on Postal Life Insurance (PLI) by Mr. Anup Singha Roy, Development Officer, Postal Life Insurance

IBC Conclave on 5th September 2026 under the aegis of Insolvency, Bankruptcy and Valuation Standards Board of ICAI. The programme will be in Association with Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India jointly with Indian Institute of Insolvency Professionals of ICAI and ICAI Registered Valuers Organisation and will be hosted by Eastern India Regional Council, ICAI. Dr. Bhushan Kumar Sinha, Wholetime Member, IBBI has consented to be the Chief Guest and Shri Deepak Agarwal, CM & MD, Shakambari Group of Industries has consented to be the Guest of Honour. Eminent speakers who will address the participants include CA Subodh Kumar Agrawal, Past President, ICAI,  Mr. Keshav Kumar Giridhari, DGM, IBBI, Ms. Pooja Singla, AGM, IBBI, CA Avil Menezes, CA Pooja Bahry, Adv. Sandeep Bajaj, Founder, PSL  Advocates & Soliciters, Mr. Aditya Vikram Birla, Chairman & MD, Cosmic Birla Group, CA Vikash Goel, CA Anurag Singal, Ms. Arpita Ghosh, Adv. Saurav Panda and others. The members who are practicing as IPs & RVOs and who want to become IPs & RVOs in the future will be benefitted from attending this Conclave. 

ICAI Convocation on a pan India basis will be held on 12th September 2026. In Eastern Region it will be held in the cities of Kolkata, Guwahati and Bhubaneswar. It is for Members enrolled from 1st May, 2026 to 15th August, 2026. They will be awarded with Certificate of Membership / COP in the Convocation. Rank Holders of CA Final Examination held in May 2026 will also be felicitated with the Rank Certificates.

51st Regional Conference of EIRC on 19th and 20th December 2026 at Biswa Bangla convention Centre, Kolkata. The theme for this year is “NOW – The Time to Transform: Learn Innovate Lead. This Annual & Signature event of EIRC is the only one of its kind and will be organised in the Platinum Jubilee Year of EIRC. This major event will have speakers and dignitaries from across the country. For more Conference updates visit https://eirc-icai.org/51st-regional-conference 

Concluding Remarks

I am equally encouraged by the continued energy and enthusiasm of our student community. Students are not merely the future of our profession; they are an important part of the present. Through knowledge initiatives, conferences, skill-building programmes and opportunities for interaction, EIRC will continue to create platforms that enable our students to develop the competence, confidence and adaptability required to thrive in tomorrow’s professional environment.

I take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to all our Regional Council Members, Branch Chairpersons and office-bearers, committee members, speakers, faculty members, volunteers and the EIRC Secretariat for their dedicated efforts. Most importantly, I thank each member and student whose participation gives purpose and strength to every initiative of the Council.

As we enter the next phase of the year, let us continue to embrace the spirit of NOW — to learn NOW, to adapt NOW, to contribute NOW and to lead NOW. The opportunities before our profession are immense, and together, through knowledge, ethics, innovation and collective action, we can shape a stronger and more resilient professional community.

Let us continue to move forward with purpose, with responsibility and with the confidence to create possibilities.

CA Mayur Agrawal,

Chairman, EIRC of ICAI, Mob: 99033 49773

EIRC Social Media:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@eircoficaiofficial

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eircicai/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eircicai/