Funds Up, Staff Down: High Vacancies Crippling SCZCC

Nagpur: The South Central Zone Cultural Centre (SCZCC), a key institution under the ministry of culture, is grappling with a severe staffing gap, with nearly 76% of its sanctioned posts vacant as of March 2026, raising concerns over its capacity to effectively promote and manage cultural activities in the region.The data reveals that only 8 of the 33 approved posts are currently filled, leaving several operational and programme-related roles unmanned. The shortage is particularly visible in the programme wing, where all posts of programme executive (3) and assistant programme executive (4) are vacant, along with the post of deputy director (programme).While senior administrative posts such as director and deputy director (administration & accounts) are occupied, vacancies extend across multiple categories. These include positions such as assistant director (administration & accounts), administrative-cum-accounts officer, assistant engineer, documentation officer, exhibition assistant, and accountant. In the clerical cadre, only 2 of 5 junior assistant posts are filled, while 2 stenographer posts remain vacant, as per the information shared by SCZCC in response to the RTI query by Abhay Kolarkar. A note in the RTI reply clarifies that, apart from the listed posts, one multi-tasking staff (MTS) employee is in place as per Recruitment Rules, 2015.The RTI response also provides details on SCZCC's finances over the past three years. SCZCC reported an expenditure of approximately 7.41 crore in 2023-24, 8.82 crore in 2024-25, and about 11.30 crore in 2025-26, against allocations of 9.74 crore, 9.59 crore, and 11.42 crore, respectively.TOI reached out to SCZCC officials for comment, but a response was awaited till the time of going to press.