IMPHAL, October 12: The 4th Competition for Cultural and Literary Events began today at the Centenary Hall of the Manipur University.
Although there are 27 departments in the University, the turnout or participation was very poor as only students from 12 departments are taking part in the competition at present.
IFP reporting on the event learnt from sources that a total of nearly Rs 1.5 lakh has been sanctioned for the event by the University for the meet and the sanction money is being handled by the Dean of Students Welfare Prof Thounaojam Ratankumar.
Talking to IFP the Dean said the event is a precursor for other competitions which will be held at the zonal and national level and organized under the aegis of Association of Indian Universities.
The featured events are music, dance, literary events, theatre and fine arts and each category is further sub-categorized. The finances for organizing the event were previously operated by the Manipur University Students Union in the past.
But since its dissolution, it is being handled by a cultural committee headed by the Dean of Students Welfare at present.
Students’ Dean Ratan mentioned that a sum of Rs 6000 is allocated to each department for miscellaneous use for students partaking in the event. As only 12 departments are participating, a sum of Rs 72,000 only could have been allocated out of the total budget of Rs 1.5 lac.
However, according to credible sources, it was also learnt that each of the five committees assigned with different disciplines were given a sum of Rs 6000 each by the Dean as financial help.
A committee member for the Dance event mentioned to IFP that he was given Rs 6000 only. The said amount is to be utilized for costumes, hiring of artists, lights, refreshment etc.
If the five committees were sanctioned Rs 6000 each the total expenditure would be Rs 30,000 only out of the one lakh plus budget and it is contradictory to the statement given by the Dean to IFP.
It was also learnt that a committee member for Theatre has been hired from outside the University.
Ratan in the meantime stated that the level of participation from students in the event is far from satisfactory. He mentioned that the main reason may be due to the newly introduced semester system of exams and students do not have time for such co-curricular activities.
However, some concerned individuals in the University voiced that the notification for holding the event was not properly circulated and if done so was on short notice. Some complaints were made to IFP regarding the obvious lack of transparency in funding the event by the Dean and organizing it.
The competition will conclude tomorrow and the selected will further contest in the upcoming Inter College Youth Festival scheduled to be held on October 27.