CAG report brings focus back on students’ backlog at FTII - Hindustan Times
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CAG report brings focus back on students’ backlog at FTII

Hindustan Times, Pune | By
Jul 26, 2017 12:40 PM IST

The FTII, after a gap of two years, admitted fresh students in 2016 as previous batches could not complete their courses on time, leading to a major issue during the strike called by students to oppose the appointment of Chauhan as FTII chairman in 2015.

A report by Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has mentioned that non-completion of courses by the students at FTII has caused loss of Rs 11.83 crore to the exchequer. While the report has once again brought the focus on backlog of students, the recent record indicated that situation improved at the renowned institute, especially during the chairmanship of Gajendra Chauhan, a television actor turned BJP member.

A report by Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has mentioned that non-completion of courses by the students at(HT PHOTO)
A report by Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has mentioned that non-completion of courses by the students at(HT PHOTO)

The FTII, after a gap of two years, admitted fresh students in 2016 as previous batches could not complete their courses on time, leading to a major issue during the strike called by students to oppose the appointment of Chauhan as FTII chairman in 2015.

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The admission process was as much important for students as for this premier cinema institute in India considering the backlog – three-year batch stretching over six years – had in the past forced the institute to freeze admissions for next few years, adding financial burden while denying opportunity to prospective students.

Following the strike, FTII administration carried out corrective steps while introducing new syllabus that aimed to finish the courses in time bound manner in order to prevent backlog. Eviction notices were served to students from 2008 batch, which lasted for 2016, to vacate the hostel rooms.

According to FTII director Bhuopendra Kainthola, the exercise has helped the institute to clear the backlog to a large extent with the fresh batch, admitted last year, has managed to complete the course as per declared academic schedule.

“Students of 2016 batch are in sync with the declared academic schedule. They have completed two semesters in time,” said Kainthola.

When asked about the latest CAG report passing strictures on FTII, Kainthola said, “I haven’t read the report as I have been travelling since then.” The director said, most students admitted in 2014 have finished their projects and have completed the course while those remained are in the process of completing the project.

In the report tabled in Lok Sabha last week, the CAG mentions that FTII failed to ensure that 212 students enrolled for its prestigious Diploma complete their course within the prescribed duration and hence large percentage of enrolled students continue to be on the rolls of the Institute.

“This has not only created additional pressure on the limited infrastructure of the Institute but has also indirectly resulted in the opportunity loss for aspirants who were not able to get admission as Institute is already saddled with a very high backlog of existing students,” the report said.

The report says these 212 students who continued to remain on the rolls and in hostels without paying fees resulted in the revenue loss and admissions being held up during the academic years 2010-11 and 2015-16.

The institute hit the headlines after students boycotted classes for 139-days in opposition to the appointment of Chauhan, whose tenure was over in March this year after serving as chairman for 19 months. While government had made backlog as major issue during the strike putting pressure on the students to complete the courses on time, students opposed the move by holding the then director Prashant Pathrabe in captivity.

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  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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    Yogesh Joshi is Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times. He covers politics, security, development and human rights from Western Maharashtra.

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