Financial Scandals at NMIC and NFDC
• Sprouts News Investigation Team Reveals
• Corruption in Cinema Museum Operations
Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
In 2019, the National Museum of Indian Cinema (NMIC) was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the goal of educating the public about the history of Indian cinema. However, it now appears that this cultural institution is embroiled in a financial scandal, with top officials accused of financial misconduct, mismanagement, and favoritism in awarding contracts.
At the center of the controversy are:
• Marketing Manager: Jayita Ghosh
• General Manager: D. Ramakrishnan
• Managing Director: Prithul Kumar
These officials are allegedly using NMIC as their personal property, exploiting its resources for financial gain and bypassing government regulations and transparency.
• Ticket Price Surge Raises Eyebrows
When NMIC first opened, tickets were priced at ₹20. Over time, this price increased to ₹75 without clear justification. Most shockingly, the ticket price has now been hiked to ₹165 -an 800% increase from the original government-fixed price.
Upon investigation, it was revealed that
– ₹75 of the ticket price goes to the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC)
– ₹75 goes to Narrowcasters, a private company that developed an audio guide for the museum
– ₹15 is added as GST
The real concern lies in the involvement of Narrowcasters, which was awarded this project without a transparent tendering process. The total cost of the audio guide system has been set at ₹50 lakh. Until this amount is recovered, the revenue generated from ticket sales is being directed to Narrowcasters, raising suspicions of an illicit financial arrangement between the company and key NMIC officials.
• Why Was Narrowcasters Chosen?
A significant question arises: Why was Narrowcasters selected for this project? With NFDC receiving crores in funding annually for cinema-related projects, why didn’t they develop the audio guide internally? Experts suggest the actual market price for such an audio guide is far lower than the ₹50 lakh quoted by Narrowcasters.
The lack of transparency raises concerns that Jayita Ghosh, D. Ramakrishnan, and Prithul Kumar may have personal financial interests linked to the company.
Also Read: Why is PIL Important in Paper Leak Scandal?
• Misuse of Heritage Property: Violations at Gulshan Mahal
Adding to the controversy, parts of Gulshan Mahal, a heritage site within NMIC, have allegedly been rented out without adhering to heritage preservation regulations. This unauthorized use of government property for private profit raises further questions.
• Merchandising & Branding: Another Hidden Scandal?
Sources also indicate that the merchandising and branding contracts at NMIC are riddled with financial irregularities, allegedly benefiting Jayita Ghosh and other officials personally.
• Growing Calls for an Investigation
With public funds at stake and the exploitation of a government institution, there is increasing demand for a full-scale investigation into NMIC and NFDC’s operations.
Cinema lovers, industry professionals, and members of the public are calling for:
• An independent audit of the Narrowcasters contract and project costs
• A probe into the ticket price hike and revenue allocation
• An inquiry into the unauthorized leasing of Gulshan Mahal
• Strict action against officials found guilty of financial misconduct
Despite growing public pressure, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has yet to respond. However, with increasing scrutiny, the demand for accountability in NMIC’s financial dealings is reaching a critical point.