NFDC Corruption Exposed: MD & GM Face Major Allegations.

•Sprouts SIT Uncovers NFDC’s Dark Secrets

Unmesh Gujarathi

Sprouts News Exclusive

As the public outcry over corruption at the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) continues to grow, this part of our investigative series uncovers the deeper levels of malfeasance at the heart of the organization. Despite our previous revelations about the corruption of the leadership at NFDC, it is concerning that no substantial action has been taken by the authorities thus far. In this report, we focus on the role of the Managing Director (MD), Prithul Kumar, and General Manager (GM), D. Ramakrishnan, shedding light on their illicit activities that have systematically destroyed the integrity of the organization.

One of the most glaring examples of misuse of funds comes from the extravagant spending habits of MD Prithul Kumar during his official trips to Mumbai. According to insider sources, during his stay at luxury hotels, Prithul Kumar frequently orders alcohol, books beauty parlour services, and indulges in other lavish amenities. However, these personal expenditures were never included in the official bills. Instead, they were secretly paid for by GM D. Ramakrishnan, who then arranged for the amounts to be shown under different categories in the NFDC books.

When one senior executive at NFDC raised concerns over this corrupt billing system, he was removed from his position within a single day. This swift retaliation against whistleblowers is a clear indication of the extent of corruption and the lengths these individuals are willing to go to in order to cover up their illegal activities.

Under the rules governing public sector undertakings like NFDC, the powers of the General Manager (GM) are limited. However, D. Ramakrishnan has systematically disregarded these limitations by keeping all major decision-making powers for himself. This centralization of power, which was supposed to be shared with other officials, has allowed Ramakrishnan to carry out his corrupt schemes with near impunity. MD Prithul Kumar’s tacit approval and support for these actions point to a coordinated effort to undermine the governance structure of NFDC.

Perhaps the most shocking and damaging scandal to have surfaced at NFDC is the recruitment scam. Our investigation, backed by credible sources within the Ministry, has uncovered disturbing evidence of fraudulent recruitment practices orchestrated by MD Prithul Kumar and GM D. Ramakrishnan. These two individuals have systematically appointed employees without adhering to any legal procedures, such as public advertisements or following the prescribed recruitment guidelines.

Several employees have been appointed to key positions without the transparency or fairness mandated by law, raising serious questions about the legitimacy of these appointments. Also, there is a need to verify whether their educational qualifications are from recognized universities.

The Sprouts Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been at the forefront of this inquiry, gathering crucial evidence and testimonies from whistleblowers and insiders within NFDC. The SIT’s diligent work has uncovered the depth of corruption at NFDC, including details of fraudulent recruitment and financial mismanagement that have harmed the institution’s credibility. The team’s findings are not only revealing but also call for immediate attention from authorities to ensure accountability and restore trust in the organization.

Under the leadership of Prithul Kumar and D. Ramakrishnan, NFDC has become little more than a private fiefdom where these individuals have replaced competent staff with unqualified and ineligible candidates. This corruption is not limited to financial mismanagement but extends to the very heart of the organization’s structure and governance. These two corrupt officials have acted with such arrogance that they have removed senior employees without due process within a day and replaced them with individuals who serve their personal agendas, some of whom are over 75.

This corruption has not gone unnoticed. There is growing demand from filmmakers, cinema lovers, and industry professionals for corrective action. Many within the industry have raised concerns over the misuse of NFDC, which was once seen as a beacon for promoting Indian cinema. The time for action is now. As long as these corrupt officials remain at the helm, NFDC’s reputation and its mission to support Indian cinema will continue to be tarnished. The industry deserves better.

The Sprouts Special Investigation Team (SIT) continues its efforts to expose the full extent of the corruption at NFDC, and it is crucial that appropriate action is taken to restore integrity to this vital institution.