Patna: The General Council meeting of the Mithila Chitrakala Sansthan, Madhubani, convened today at the Department of Art, Culture, and Youth, was presided over by Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha. As the Chairman of the General Council, the deputy CM issued a series of directives aimed at addressing concerns within the institution and elevating its stature.
During the meeting, the Deputy Chief Minister, who also serves as the Minister for Art and Culture, called for a review of past council decisions. He instructed the departmental Secretary-cum-Vice Chairman to conduct a thorough investigation into all aspects of the institution, including staff appointments, employee performance, and potential financial irregularities. A detailed report on these findings has been requested.
Sinha highlighted the need to amend the tenure of posts such as Acharya, Up-Acharya, and Junior Acharya, which were previously granted lifetime terms. Instead, he proposed aligning their tenure with government provisions, capping it at 67 years. Additionally, he suggested a more merit-based approach to training positions, recommending the appointment of nationally and state-recognized Madhubani painting artists on five-year contracts, extendable by two years under special circumstances following a review.
The Deputy Chief Minister expressed serious concerns about reported irregularities within the institution and pledged to take strict action based on complaints from council members. In response to work negligence, it was decided during the meeting to initiate disciplinary action against the institute’s director in accordance with established rules.
A decision from the executive meeting on April 24, 2024, regarding the appointment of an administrative officer, was also discussed. The council overturned its earlier disapproval and directed the implementation of the decision taken in the administrative file.
The meeting saw participation from Pranav Kumar, Secretary of the Department of Art, Culture, and Youth, alongside representatives from the Education, Finance, and Tourism departments, as well as the District Officer of Madhubani and other council members.
The deputy CM reaffirmed his commitment to revitalizing the Mithila Chitrakala Sansthan, ensuring that the institution upholds the rich legacy of Madhubani art while operating with transparency and efficiency.
