Management of Armenian properties in Kolkata draws applause from Armenia

Earlier this month, the Office of the Administrator General and Official Trustee of West Bengal was appreciated by the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians

At a time when the city of Kolkata was coming up in the 1690’s the Armenians arrived there. The community whose strength in the ‘City of Joy’ has dropped to about 150 individuals at present had once flourished in business and built several key properties. In the 330 years since the first Armenians set their foot there, several properties located in the heart of the city were occupied by tenants or those who got lease for a very nominal amount.

Earlier this month, the Office of the Administrator General and Official Trustee of West Bengal received a letter from Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. The letter was to express appreciation to Biplab Roy, judge who heads the office of the Official Trustee for better financial management of Armenian properties in the city.

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“We are pleased to learn from Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Tsaturyan, Pastor of the Armenians in India and manager of Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy about your devoted hard work in preserving the rich legacy and heritage of the Armenians in Kolkata,” said the letter dated September 5 and signed by Karekin II.

Mr. Roy said the annual income from 40 properties belonging to the Armenian institutions have increased from ₹36.55 lakh annually to over ₹2 crore annually after the lease agreements were changed.

“For instance, a property on 44 Chowringhee Road spread over 60 cottahs of land was leased for 99 years where the yearly rent was about ₹1 lakh. Those occupying the property on lease were violating some terms and then after discussion the new rent was decided as ₹60 lakh per annum. Also, the company agreed to ₹3.6 crore as security deposit,” Mr. Roy explained. The Office of the Administrator General also took possession of four cottahs of land of the Armenian Church at Barabazar valued at ₹10 core located on 1 Synagogue Street, Kolkata which was illegally handed over to some people. Mr. Roy also added that his office was taking steps to recover many prime properties of the Church in Kolkata, Hooghly and Asansol.

The letter by Karekin II states, “Please accept our words of appreciation for the unwavering support shown for the benefit of Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy and the Armenian Churches in West Bengal. It is also greatly pleasing to know that with your kind cooperation the Armenian College is operating successfully, providing excellent education to our Armenian children”.