Protest over irregularities in CKP

Alleging large-scale irregularities at Chitrakala Parishath (CKP), a premier fine arts institution in the City, a section of its members staged a protest against some of the executive committee members, the president and the vice president of the institute here on Monday.

The members demanded the resignation of the ‘corrupt’ members and urged the State government to order an inquiry into the irregularities.

An official statement issued by artist and life member of the Parishath, Babu Eshwar Prasad, stated that some of the members of the executive committee were not primary members of the institution, according to an inquiry report submitted in June.

The members alleged that B L Shankar, vice president, K E Radhakrishna, executive committee member, G Lakshmipathy and three others were not primary members of the Parishath.

Besides, Uma Patil and G S Sathyanarayana, too, were not authorised members, the statement said.

Prasad said the government had ordered recovery of Rs 1.47 crore “illegal money” from the Parishat during 2007-2009.

As a result of financial irregularities, even the academic quality has suffered, they said.

While as many as 33 life members of the Parishath had submitted a requisition for convening a special meeting to discuss the irregularities, those at the helm have not obliged, the members added. They have demanded that those heading the institution, who are not primary members, take moral responsibility and resign from their posts.