KOCHI: The Kerala government has decided to inquire into the misappropriation of funds by the Kochi-Muziris Biennale Foundation, a private trust that has been formed for conducting the biennale art festival in Kochi.
The Chief Minister’s office has confirmed that the Finance Inspection Wing has been asked to look into the irregularities in the handling of funds by the foundation. The decision was taken after Chief Minister Oommen Chandy along with Cultural Affairs Minister K C Joseph held a meeting with a group of artists led by Kanayi Kunhiraman. About 15 artists, including N N Rimson, K C Chitrabanu, Ramankutty and Ajith kumar met the Chief Minister and the Cultural Affairs Minister on Wednesday.
Jospeh said the artists had submitted their proposal and demanded an inquiry into the misappropriation of funds by the Biennale Foundation. “They have raised many concerns about the functioning of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale Foundation and the fund misuse,” he told Express.
The artists had demanded that the trust should not be given any further funds for conducting Kochi biennale. They also demanded that the Durbar Hall and other exhibition halls should not be given to private individuals for conducting shows at the cost of other artists. The artists said the government has agreed to all the demands.
The government has received many complaints from artists regarding the misappropriation of funds by the Kochi-Muziris Biennale Foundation. The previous LDF government had allotted `5 crore for the foundation, which was allegedly misused by the trust.