Diploma in documentary film mooted

IMPHAL | July 21

The art and culture minister L. Jayantakumar Singh said that Manipur State Film and Television Institute (MSFTI) plans to start a PG diploma course in documentary from October, with a budget provision of Rs. 1.5 crore for the fiscal year 2017-18. This was stated while replying to a question raised by MLA, Khangabok A/C Surjakumar Okram during question hours, in the second day of the second session of the Eleventh Manipur Legislative Assembly, today.

The minister further informed the House that the courses offered in the Manipur University of Culture are graduate course in dance, music, sankritana, umang lai haraoba, thang-ta, theatre, tribal studies and visual art with a budget of Rs. 1.5 crore for the fiscal year 2017-18.

On the reason for the delay in the functioning of the Manipur State Film & Television Institute, the minister replied that the recruitment of faculty and staffs of the institute will be taken up. In the absence of faculty members, support staffs, academic infrastructure and acquisition of equipment, academic programs cannot commence.

In another question raised by MLA, Wangkhei A/C, Okram Henry Singh on the present status of the Cabinet decision taken by the previous government to rename the Imphal International airport, the chief minister N. Biren, who is also holding the portfolio of transport, informed the House that the state Cabinet took decision in its meeting held on September 21 last year to rename the Imphal International Airport and decided to recommend to the ministry of civil aviation for necessary action in the interest of the people of Manipur.

The Centre has released a total amount of Rs. 739.44 lakh for National Food Security Mission for the year 2016-17 for the state of Manipur for nine districts including Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Chandel, Churachandpur, Senapati, Tamenglong and Ukhrul. The beneficiaries were selected through the extension functionaries of the respective districts. This was informed by agriculture minister V. Hangkhanlian to the query raised by MLA, Lilong A/C Md. Abdul Nasir.