Membership Renewal Dispute Erupts Within Nepal Film Artists Association Ahead of General Convention

Kathmandu. As the date for the general convention of the Nepal Film Artists Association approaches, a fierce dispute has erupted within the association over the issue of membership renewal. Following disagreements during the executive committee meeting held on Tuesday to prepare for the convention scheduled for Chaitra 28, General Secretary Sabin Shrestha and Secretary Rameshwor Burlakoti walked out of the meeting midway.

During the meeting, General Secretary Shrestha and Secretary Burlakoti proposed granting special concessions for the renewal of memberships for those who had not renewed for a long time and extending the deadline. They insisted that long-time members who had not renewed for up to 7 years should be allowed to renew by paying only 5,500 Nepali Rupees.

However, the association's bylaws stipulate a fee of 1,800 Nepali Rupees per year. With some members having already renewed by paying up to 10,000 Nepali Rupees, President Mohan Niraula and other officials expressed a dissenting opinion, arguing that granting concessions only to a specific group would disadvantage honest members.

The dispute arose because the President's faction insisted that rules could not be changed after the 35-day notice for the general convention had already been published. Seeing that consensus would not be reached on their proposal, Shrestha and Burlakoti left the meeting.

The association's Tuesday meeting was called to discuss key agendas such as the formation of the election committee and preparations for the general convention, rather than membership renewal. Due to the dispute, the main agendas could not even be addressed in the meeting.

Association President Mohan Niraula stated that the dispute arose because an attempt was made to renew memberships in a manner favorable to a specific group, violating the organization's bylaws. He claimed that General Secretary Shrestha and Secretary Burlakoti pressured for membership renewal against the regulations.

‘The organization's rules apply equally to all members, whether new or old,’ Niraula said. ‘According to the bylaws, the membership of members exceeding 7 years should be automatically canceled, and they should re-enter through the new process.’

President Niraula clarified that they could not allow membership to be granted based on manipulation to individuals lacking necessary proof, violating the rules. ‘Someone has already renewed by paying 10,000 rupees; saying let's do it for 5,500 now is against the bylaws,’ he added. ‘I am not even a candidate for the general convention, but I have a clear belief that the organization must run according to the system and bylaws.’

Niraula stated that although proof of at least five activities (clips) is required for membership renewal, attempts were being made to renew the membership of individuals lacking proof through manipulation. He mentioned that he was trying to stop this.

Within the association, there is a clear division: President Niraula and many other officials are on one side, while General Secretary Sabin Shrestha and Secretary Rameshwor Burlakoti, along with some members, are on the other.

Meanwhile, Secretary Burlakoti claimed that he raised the issue of concessions to ensure maximum member participation in the general convention and to raise financial resources for the association.

‘There was a tradition of giving such concessions in previous elections as well. We sought a middle path to provide relief to the members,’ Burlakoti said. He argued that it was not fair for the President to oppose concessions when he is not a candidate, but support them when he was a candidate.

‘The bylaws give the executive committee the authority to make such decisions, and the minutes of previous decisions are also preserved. Therefore, it can be done,’ Burlakoti added. ‘We are not trying to pocket this money; we are saying this for the benefit of the association.’

On the other hand, members opposing the concessionary renewal argue that candidates proposed this to reduce their own expenses, as part of a strategy to renew the memberships of their close associates arbitrarily.

• Employee Dismissal Case in Labor Court

Not only membership disputes but also the issue of employee dismissal is controversial within the association. Meena Kumari Basnet, an employee who had been working for a long time, was removed a few months after the Niraula-led executive committee took office in 2079 BS.

That matter has also taken a legal turn. Basnet filed a case in the Labor Court against Association President Niraula, General Secretary Shrestha, and Secretary Burlakoti regarding her dismissal.

It is said that General Secretary Shrestha and Secretary Burlakoti had a major role in Basnet's removal. Basnet alleged that she was fired out of spite because she did not say ‘Namaskar’ (greeting) to the General Secretary and Secretary.

Secretary Burlakoti, however, claimed that Basnet was complained about due to problems with her work style and behavior, failure to adhere to time, and indiscipline, but she was not forcibly removed.

‘She left in anger during a normal discussion. Later, even when we called her repeatedly, she did not come and instead filed a lawsuit,’ he said. ‘Actually, there were some issues with her work style and behavior. Our stance was that as an employee of the association, there must be minimum respect towards the executive committee officials and senior artists.’

Regarding the case of employee Basnet, the court ordered the Film Artists Association to settle the matter by paying 500,000 Nepali Rupees. President Niraula informed that the settlement process, as per the court's order, was completed today. ‘We are settling with Basnet by giving her the 5 lakh rupees directed by the court and have sent the documents to the court today,’ Niraula said. ‘I trust that the court will conclude this matter soon.’