IIM Act: Prakash Javadekar to Discuss Parameters with All 20 Directors

The Government has invited all 20 IIM Directors for a meeting to discuss the concerns regarding the new rules that have been drafted under the IIM Act. The meeting is scheduled to take place on April 11, 2018.

Among the important matters to be discussed, the most important will be the decision whether the President, Vice President, or the minister will head the IIM Coordination Forum, i.e. an equivalent of the IIT Council for IIMs, the highest decision-making body for the institutes.

Points to be discussed in IIM Directors Meeting with HRD Minister:

• Initially, the draft of the IIM Bill had the HRD Minister as the head of the Coordination Forum, however, the idea was dropped later on the suggestions of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
• IIM directors have also asked the committee drafting the IIM rules to clarify the eligibility criteria for appointing the members to the Board of Governors (BoG).
• The Directors have also asked for a clear set of rules that will define their powers and autonomy vis-à-vis the Board.
• Few of the directors have also voiced their concerns regarding relinquishing government control and said that it could undermine the accountability of the IIM’s leadership.
• Half of the 13 new IIM Directors have expresses their concerns regarding BoG appointing the Directors of IIMs without the approval of Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). Before the passing of IIM Act, the ACC use to approve candidates shortlisted by the BoG.

Also Read:IIM Act: IIMs have Authority to Decide whether to Award Diplomas or Degrees

The new IIMs are concerned that this freedom granted to them through the IIM Act will be abused by the BoG. A committee has been appointed by the HRD Ministry to draft the IIM Act rules. The committee is headed by IIM-Sirmaur chairman Ajay Shriram.