Shillong, May 9: The state government is helpless to change the name of Commander Shangpliang, who is determined to attend Cannes film festival as he went ahead to process his visa based on I& B ministry letter.
Nicholas Kharkongor, who was named along with Commander, had already backed out.
Under criticism from various quarters, the government is recommending the name of Dominic Sangma in place of Kharkongor.
Besides Dominic, Pradip Kurbah was earlier recommended by the state IPR department whereas tourism department had recommended Commander and Nicholas to attend the Cannes film festival.
Below is the full unedited statement of IPR Commissioner and Secretary Pravin Bakshi on the issue after a meeting chaired by IPR minister Ampareen Lyngdoh on Tuesday
This is to inform all that today Dr M Ampareen Lyngdoh , Hon’ble Minister of IPR had a meeting with all stakeholder Departments of Art and Culture , Information and Public Relations and Tourism and took stock of the situation surrounding nomination of Shri Commander Shangpliang and Shri Nicholas Lemtor Kharkongor to attend the Cannes Film Festival.
Officers both from Directorate and Department of the Departments of Art and Culture , IPR and Tourism attended . It was suggested after going through the nominations of Shri Pradip Kurbah and Shri Dominic Sangma that Shri Dominic Sangma may be selected and his name be recommended to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to attend the Cannes Film Festival as there are reports that Shri Nicholas Lemtor Kharkongor may have withdrawn his participation from the event .
It was also decided in the meeting that for future such opportunities and International or National Film Festivals or events there would be a Selection Committee chaired by Chief Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya that would select the persons who would attend by merit with discussion and participation of all three stakeholder Departments as Members of the Committee and by their mutual consent and decision .
It was also reiterated that while Departments of the State Government wrote separately for the film festival nominating film personalities of the State – the choice was eventually made by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry , Government of India and they are free to do so as a Ministry . However , IPR Department is taking up the matter for substitution with Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Government of India subject to their guidelines and processes.
Sd/-
Pravin Bakshi IAS, Commissioner and Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya
Information & Public Relations Department
