Many ills continue to dog MUC
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 18 2017: Infrastructure deficit, irregular payment of teachers' monthly salary, no permanent site for the campus, non-formulation of cultural policy, and not giving due recognition by the Govt to National award winners are rendering inefficient the much anticipated Manipur University of Culture (MUC) .

Interacting with The Sangai Express, general secretary of MUC Students' Union, Yumnam Bhumeshore said Manipuri dance is held in high esteem even at the global forum.

There is no doubt that its fame reaches the pinnacle .

To further the studies of Manipuri culture, the Manipur University of Culture was been established and classes for the first session of the university started in September 2016 at its temporary campus in Palace Compound here .

However, basic infrastructures like power, water and toilet are not provided to the varsity, he said .

Ironically, salaries for the teachers who were recruited in the first phase were released only for two months while teachers recruited in the second phase were not paid even for a single month till date.

The matter is worsened as the Dept of Culture and Finance Dept has not released fund to the university.

It would not be an exaggeration that these factors are retarding the growth of the university, Bhumeshore said .

Representatives of the university's student union and the Vice-Chancellor had a meeting on June 22 last where the MUCSU placed three demands.

The demands included immediate release of fund to the university by the Art and Culture Department and Finance Dept; to find a suitable permanent site for the university.

The students' union also urged the Govt not to resort to acts that could deter the spirit of artistes of the State.

The students' union had urged the authority concerned to fulfil its demands before July 15, he said .

Yesterday (July 16), Art and Culture Minister L Jayantakumar along with members of the MUCSU conducted an inspection at Wakha and assessed the feasibility of constructing a permanent site for the university there.

The students' union brought to the notice of the Minister that at least 300 acres of land would be required for the construction of the university.

However, during the inspection yesterday, just 35 acres of land were found available for the purpose .

At the same time, the students conveyed to the Minister that Wakha, which is part of Nongmai Ching, would be the most desirable location for the university .

The previous State Govt passed a Bill in April 2015 after the Centre pushed for the establishment of a cultural university in Manipur.

The Bill – Manipur University of Culture Bill 2015 was approved by the Governor in August 2015 .

Acknowledging the efforts taken up by the Govt for the promotion of Manipur culture, MUCSU conveyed their wish that the Govt gives due recognition to award winners in different art forms like it does to film artistes .

It is very unfortunate that National and International award winners in different performing art forms, with the exception of film artistes, have not received the recognition they deserve from the Govt, Bhumeshore said.19 teachers were recruited through proper DPC in the first phase.

Again, for the second time, 11 teachers were recruited without conducting DPC and without the knowledge of the students' union, he said.

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