Ministry Of Culture English news | Ministry Of Culture, Latest News & Live Updates in English | English News (Latest English News) at Lokmattimes.com

The case was registered on Thursday on the basis of complaint filed by Chief Vigilance Officer of Ministry of Culture to the CBI. The case has been registered against Leela Samson, the then Director of Kalashetra Foundation - T S Murthi, the then Chief Accounts Officer at Kalakshetra Foundation, S Ramachandran, Accounts officer at Kalakshetra Foundation, V Srinivasan, Engineer at Kalakshetra Foundation and Ravi Neelakantan, Proprietor, CARD and Chennai Engineers.The agency received a complaint on May 31, 2017 that about "unfruitful expenditure of Rs 7.02 crore" was made on renovation of Koothambalam Auditorium of Kalakshetra Foundation in Chennai.It was alleged that work order for renovation was awarded by the foundation' officials at higher rate through the architect consultant Centre for Architectural Research and Design (CARD) without following the General Financial Rules.The Kalakshetra Foundation was declared as an institution of national importance and was brought under Ministry of Culture as autonomous organisation. The foundation receives aid every year from the ministry for its developmental activities.It was found that foundation had built an auditorium, named as Koothambalam, in 1985 for stage performance. In 2006, it was decided to upgrade the auditorium. The renovation of it was discussed in several financial committees as well as governing body board meetings.In 2009, a civil works committee under Leela Samson was formed. The committee was to prepare necessary estimation based on the recommendations of the governing board calling for tender and place it before the finance committee for approval.Samson, the director, authorized the governing body to spend the amount intended for plans scheme on advice of the civil works advisory committee.It was found that the civil works committee appointed CARD in 2010 to receive, analyze and advise on appointment of contractors for renovation works. CARD selected five contractors. Further, some more contractors were selected by the civil works committee for renovation of the work.The contractors were given work order on nomination basis without following the open tender process. In all 28 works related to renovation were carried out with total expenditure of Rs 7.02 crore.The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audited the expenditure of the foundation and brought out various lapses in executing the renovation works. It was also pointed out that the renovation works were undertaken without formal sanction of the governing board and financial committee of the foundation.This led to huge controversy after which Samson resigned from the post of Director and member of the civil works panel in 2012.Thereafter, the matter was referred to CVC of the Ministry.The Central Public Works Department team in Chennai inspected the work and assessed that foundation spent approximately Rs 62.20 lakh more than the estimated amount. The team also found that the contracts were awarded at a higher rate and payments made to the contractors accordingly.In 2017, the vigilance department of the ministry forwarded the complaint to the CBI after which a preliminary enquiry was carried out.( With inputs from IANS )

Ministry Of CultureFOLLOW

Ministry of culture, Latest News

Hence, this year's Buddha Purnima celebration has gone virtual keeping in mind the need to maintain social distancing where prayers will be virtually uttered.Buddha Purnima celebrations are being held through a Virtual Visak Day owing to the impact o ...

To mark the beginning of a year-long celebration of Satyajit Ray's birth centenary year, Government of India has released a short film that pays tribute to the legend. ...

(IANS) The 'Bridge of Music' or 'Sangeet Setu', the charity show which brought the country together to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, broke viewership records across platforms, ranging from Doordarshan to online music sites. ...

Amid the countrywide lockdown the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) here celebrated 66 years of its foundation by launching the virtual tour of its permanent collection for the visitors. ...

Amol Palekar's play 'Kusur - The Mistake' that revolves around the life of retired Assistant Police Commissioner Dandavate, whose life changes overnight when he volunteers to serve at the police control room was presented on the inaugural day of the ...

To make India an attractive destination for both international and domestic tourists, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday proposed to allocate Rs 2,500 crores in the Budget for FY2020-21 for the tourism sector. ...

Finance Minister Nirmala Sithraman on Saturday proposed to allocate Rs 2,500 crore in 2020-21 for the tourism sector and construction of eight new museums, which includes building infrastructure around 5 iconic sites. ...

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a corruption and criminal conspiracy case against Padma Shree awardee Leela Samson, Bharatanatyam dancer and former director of Kalakshetra Foundation and four others for alleged irregularities in r ...