62 cr budget proposed for FTII

PUNE: A budget of around Rs 62 crore has been proposed by the Group of Experts (GoE) to clear the five-year-old backlog of incomplete batches, upgradation and reconstruction of infrastructure at the Film and television Institute of India (FTII). One of the significant recommendations made by the GoE includes temporary halt to fresh admissions to enable clearing of the backlog.
The GoE was formed late last year for drawing up a detailed project report on the revitalisation and upgradation of the institute.The proposed budget was presented with an elaborate plan in the interim report presented by the GoE, headed by P K Nair and members including Shaji N Karun, Kundan Shah, Nachiket Patwardhan, Chandita Mukherjee, Jabeen Merchant and Hansa Thapliyal, to the institute's governing council on January 25.
Clearing of backlog of batches and improvement of infrastructure at the institute, are some of the main issues elaborated in the interim report.
"Students of the 2005 and 2006 batches are still on campus. Currently, there are five batches that haven't finished their courses completely due to pending exercises and projects. The clearing of this backlog is the priority and we have worked out a schedule whereby this backlog can be cleared by March 2013. For this alone, we have proposed a budget of Rs 5 crore," said Nair.
This particular budget, he said, will take care of the additional equipment and infrastructure required for students to finish their courses. "We will also need more mentors and experts from the industry to guide and supervise the students' pending projects," said Nair.
The GoE has proposed a temporary halt on fresh admissions till the backlog of batches clears. "So far, some 50 students have been selected for the forthcoming academic year, who have paid their fees and have been asked to wait till the year begins. But this will spoil the image of the institute. Hence, we've suggested the beginning of the next batch be delayed by at least a year; otherwise, it will worsen the congestion of students on campus. This is where the institute needs to proceed cautiously," said Nair.
The interim report also outlines a plan on the improvement of current infrastructure and addition of new buildings to the institute. "Two years ago, a plan to demolish and reconstruct the present main theatres with state-of-the-art facilities, was sanctioned by the ministry of information and broadcasting. However, it never took off. We have pushed for work on this to begin with immediate effect," said Nair.
The issue of hostel buildings currently under construction opposite the FTII campus on Law College Road has been dealt with. "We've also proposed reconstruction of the present boys' and girls' hostel buildings within the campus itself, and not opposite the FTII premises, that comprise the FTII staff quarters. Hence, we've proposed a budget of around Rs 50 crore for the construction of all these infrastructural facilities," Nair added.
The interim report suggests landscaping and rainwater harvesting facilities at the additional 36 acres of land owned by FTII off Paud Road in Kothrud. "We've proposed a direct connectivity between FTII's Law College Road and Kothrud campuses for easy transit," he added.
Restructuring of present courses has also been considered. "We want to combine the film and television courses and offer all courses under one roof," said Nair. The final report is expected to be ready by the end of the next month. "The governing council is presently studying the interim report and will get back to us within a fortnight. We are constantly in talks with faculty and students, present and past, on suggestions for the drafting of the final report," said Nair.