Rs 2290.00 lakh earmarked for Art & Culture Deptt
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Nomita Khongbantabam

Imphal, June 17 2015 : State Government has decided to prepare the sectoral/sub-sectoral allocation of the tentative outlay of Rs 3950.92 crore for 2015-16 .

The tentative outlay for sectoral allocation has earmarked Rs.2290.00 lakh for the Department of Art and Culture.

This amount includes Rs 300 lakh for setting up of Cultural University; Rs 150 lakh as state matching share for CSS; Rs 100 lakh for state share for corpus of Zonal Cultural Centre; development in and around INA Complex, Moirang and Rs 200 lakh for shifting of Assam Rifles from Langthabal Old Palace for the creation of infrastructure, informed a circular forwarded to all the departments by the Planning Department.

The allocation follows a proposal forwarded to the cabinet by the Department of Art and Culture after K Radhakumar Singh took over as the Secretary, Art and Culture Department seeking revamping of the same department.

In a memorandum forwarded to the cabinet, K Radhakumar Singh had placed curtained points which needed consideration by the State Cabinet.

The department has suggested setting up of art complex which will have an auditorium (proscenium theatre); open air theatre; art gallery; museum for art and crafts; a workshop area and library and a guest house for all districts. For each art complex, land measuring about 5 acres may either be allotted or acquired in every district headquarters, said the memorandum.

The department had also suggested instituting State Award for outstanding achievers in the field of art and culture may be instituted.

The worth of the award should be not less than Rs 10 lakh.

The award will be opened to all categories of culture and will be treated as recognition of a lifetime achievement.

The jury for the selection of the awardee may comprise of three imminent persons with outstanding contribution in various fields of culture.

Besides this, the department also suggested the introduction of a health scheme in collaboration with an insurance company for offering financial assistance to artistes for medical treatment.

On pension scheme, scholarship and fellowship, the Art and Culture Department said the number and quantum of money provided by the Manipur State Kala Akademi may be re-examined and revised on the higher side in the light of the current costs.

K Radhakumar had also suggested that the department of art and culture may be re-designated as Department of Cultural Affairs.

On setting up of a Cultural University, the department said that the state government could examine the feasibility of opening of the university in the model of Moscow State Art and Cultural University in Russia and submit the proposal before the cabinet.

Every possible effort may be made by the state government to establish a film city, also stressed the memorandum.

On manpower requirement, the department informed that the current sanctioned strength is 184 with as many as 26 vacancies in different categories of posts.

The additional requirement of manpower of different categories of posts is 220, said the memorandum.

On the budget allocation for the department, it has been suggested that a minimum of 0.75 percent of the total gross budget (minus interest payment and debt servicing) may be allocated to the department.

The current level is 0.27 percent, said the department.

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