[Letter to Mr Minoo Masani]

Summary

This letter, dated June 10, 1961, is sent from the Swatantra Party Bihar office in Patna to M. R. Masani. The unidentified sender explains that the party’s work in Bihar is being hampered by a shortage of suitable jeeps and reports negotiations with Narbheram & Co. (Private) Ltd. for the purchase of 40 vehicles. The proposed arrangement involves a cash payment followed by 12 monthly instalments, but the sender objects that the resulting interest rate would exceed 28 percent and is therefore unaffordable.

The sender asks Masani to help arrange a Rs. 5 lakh advance through the Central Bank, using funds previously assured to the Bihar Party by Sir Homi Mody and friends. Three attached calculation sheets set out the proposed vehicle costs, insurance and registration charges, finance commissions, cash-down amounts, instalments, and interest calculations. The letter also links the request to the forthcoming General Elections and asks Masani to respond quickly and confirm whether he will be available in Bombay.

Key points

• A Swatantra Party Bihar office letter dated June 10, 1961, is addressed to M. R. Masani.
• The sender says the party’s work in Bihar is suffering from a shortage of good jeeps.
• Negotiations concern the purchase of 40 new jeeps from Narbheram & Co. (Private) Ltd.
• The proposed hire-purchase arrangement requires a cash payment and 12 monthly instalments, with interest reportedly exceeding 28 percent.
• The sender seeks a Rs. 5 lakh financing arrangement through the Central Bank, drawing on funds promised to the Bihar Party by Sir Homi Mody and others.
• Attached sheets itemise vehicle prices, insurance, taxes, registration, finance commissions, cash down-payments, instalments, and interest.
• The request is presented as urgent because the General Elections are approaching.