Premier art institution National School of Drama, which has been without a full-time Director for nearly a year, will soon get one, Union Minister of Culture Chandresh Kumar Katoch said today.
He said the appointment process was nearly over and the institution will get a head soon.
"The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) had made some queries about the shortlisted candidates. But we can assure you now that the process is nearly over and soon there would be a Director in NSD," Katoch said.
NSD is without a Director since July 2012.
"Former Director (Anuradha Kapur) was to retire in July 2011 but was given extension for one year because DoPT has instructed us to frame the rules for the appointment of new Director," she said, adding this was done and the selection process started in August.
The Minister said a selection committee was formed which received 60 applications and 12 candidates were selected for interview and they shortlisted three names and these were sent to the Ministry.
The Ministry sent the file to DoPT which raised some queries, due to which the delay happened, she told reporters.
The delay in appointment of NSD Director by the Culture Ministry prompted practitioners and academicians in the field of theatre to shoot off a strongly-worded letter to the Minister last month saying "the Ministry's delay and continued silence on the matter can only be interpreted as disregard for and lack of responsibility and accountability towards a reputed national arts institution.
