FTII students likely to meet MoS Rathore to end impasse

NEW DELHI: Various options were discussed between information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry and the striking FTII students to break the current impasse.
A meeting with I&B minister of state Rajyavardhan Rathore is likely later this week in Delhi indicating a possible end to the stalemate.
Sources said that with over 33 strikes in its chequered history, several steps towards systemic changes had been fast-tracked including a proposal to make FTII an institute of excellence.
"We have discussed various options out of the current crisis," ministry sources said.
The students are protesting against the appointment of TV actor Gajendra Chauhan as chairperson of the FTII society.
They had also opposed the appointment of three "eminent" persons as members of the governing council. Among the proposals that had been put before the students in earlier negotiations included restricting Chauhan's role in academic matters and even consulting the students before appointing new members to the governing council. However the students decision to invite various political parties, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi even as they spoke to the ministry, led to a trust deficit.
Ministry sources said that efforts were now being made to bridge the gap. So far there have been four rounds of talks including two with I& B secretary Sunil Arora. In the October 7th meeting, a committee had been set up under Films Division chief Mukesh Sharma to look into the issues of operational flexibility and procurement of equipment for FTII.
The institute has been dogged by several issues including batches of students overstaying through the years, lack of infrastructure and disciplinary issues.
Among those present in Saturday's meeting were Sanjay Murthy joint secretary (films), Mukesh Sharma Films Division director, FTII director Prashant Pathrabe and registar U C Bodke. The Students' Association was represented by seven members and GRAFTI's Aruna Raje Patil.