Smriti Irani allays IIMs’ autonomy concerns related to new bill

NEW DELHI: The human resource development ministry has reached out to IIMs on Friday to allay their concerns regarding the IIM Bill and signaled its openness to review some of the provisions of the draft law. HRD Minister Smriti Irani met IIM-Bangalore chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw on Friday afternoon, following which the CMD of Biocon Limited told reporters that she was “satisfied with the discussion” and convinced that the draft law did not impinge on the autonomy of IIMs.

The meeting took place against the backdrop of protest letters written by the IIMs in Bengaluru, Ahmedabad and Lucknow against the bill which seeks to turn the premier B-Schools into institutions of national importance. The institutions were particularly against the provision that stated that all regulations fee and admission policy will need the Centre’s nod. This was perceived as an attempt to curb their autonomy.

“There is no aspect of the bill which will deny us the autonomy we need. The government is trying to ensure a good governance structure for the IIMs without compromising on autonomy. I am sure my colleagues in the other IIMs will welcome the ministry’s stand. I am satisfied with the discussion today,” the IIM-B chairperson told reporters after meeting Irani.

Higher Education secretary VS Oberoi confirmed that the HRD ministry is open to “review the bill in case there are any odd inconsistencies”.