Imphal, Jun 17: Acknowledging the importance of Lai Haraoba in Manipuri culture, the JN Dance Academy said that there is no question of negligence of the discipline.

As for the removal of a guru of the discipline, it was affected as according to the instruction of the Sangeet Natak Academy to remove casual staff appointed latest beyond the sanctioned posts, said a press release issued by the officiating Director of the Academy L Upendra.

Reacting to the allegation that a teacher of Pung appointed in a regular post and a number of casual employees were upgraded to permanent posts flouting all established rules, the release clarified that the pung teacher was regularised by a DPC which included Vice-Chairman of the Academy taking into account of his long service of 10 years in the Academy and vacant sanctioned post and there is no question of nepotism or favouritism.

It further rejected that many other casual employees have been regularised without undergoing DPCs.

As for the removal of two grade IV employees, the Director clarified that they were removed as there are no sanctioned posts.

The release rejected the allegation of age manipulation of age by the gurus/teachers of the Academy to extend their service periods adding that there is no such case of age manipulation.

Taking strong exception to such alleged malicious charges against the Academy, it noted that such campaign is most unfortunate considering the active efforts put in by the Academy and the Sangeet Natak Academy, New Delhi to upgrade the institute to a higher status.

It further disclosed that plans are afoot to improvise the infrastructure of the Academy and to review its courses.

Maintaining that the officiating Director fulfils the criteria of Director, it said that there is no need to question his knowledge of culture.

Moreover, it disclosed that removal of employees beyond the sanctioned posts would continue in phase wise manner in the larger interest of the Academy's development and appealed to all concerned including the public to support such moves aimed at overall development of the JN Dance Academy.

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