NEW DELHI/ITANAGAR, May 22: Students at the Film and Television Institute (FTI) have launched a strike over ongoing infrastructure delays and unmet expectations regarding campus development. Union Minister of Parliamentary & Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju has acknowledged the students’ grievances, calling them “genuine” and promising swift action from the government.
“For several months, students have expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of adequate classroom and curriculum infrastructure,” Rijiju stated. “The delay in the construction of the permanent campus, primarily due to the slow pace of work by CPWD and its contractor, has only added to their frustration.”
Students are also grappling with a shortage of potable water, which is currently being sourced from the market but is often muddy and unsafe. Electricity supply is inconsistent and largely dependent on diesel generators, which are insufficient for sustained campus operations. Despite funds not being a constraint, progress has remained sluggish.
Leadership instability has further compounded the situation, with the institute currently operating without a full-time director. The Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata holds additional charge, leaving a vacuum in day-to-day decision-making.
Minister Rijiju assured the students of immediate intervention: “The recent strike reflects the students’ growing disappointment. They feel that the construction timelines conveyed at the time of admission now appear unfeasible. I am sending the Joint Secretary from the Information & Broadcasting Ministry to personally visit the campus, verify all facts on the ground, and take necessary steps to settle the matter.”
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing the issues and ensuring that students receive the academic environment they were promised.
