Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 22:
The biggest festival of the Kuki-Chin-Mizo tribe, Kut festival is unlikely to be held at the state level this year due to the acute financial crisis gripping the state.
However, the festival will be celebrated at the district level.
Celebrated every year at the state level on November 1 since 1979, the state government extended financial aid for holding the festival till 1995.Kut festival received a great fillip in 1995 when the ministry of Tourism, Government of India recognized the festival as a means to promote tourism, art and culture.
Financial assistance also started for holding the festival on an annual basis.
However, a well placed source at the state tourism department informed that the financial aid which amounted to about Rs 2-3 lakh was stopped since last year.
Sources closed to the festival revealed that Kut festival may not be held at the state level this year as the Centre has stopped granting financial aid.
Moreover, the poor fiscal health of the state government means that nothing can be expected from the State to ensure that the festival is held without any hitch.
The tribal welfare department which was approached by the organizers to bail them out have taken the matter seriously and is presently discussing the possibility of extending financial aid, informed Principal Secretary Raikhan Chhibber.
In all likelihood the festival will not be held at the state level and whatever financial aid that may come from the Tribal Welfare Department is likely to be utilized to hold the festival at the district level.