HRD ministry likely to grant autonomy to IIMs

It is now toeing a line reportedly favoured by the PMO for granting more autonomy

The Union HRD ministry is likely to grant more autonomy to Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) in choosing the chairpersons of their governing boards.

According to officials while the ministry had previously favoured a greater say for the government in this matter, it was now toeing a line reportedly favoured by the Prime Minister's Office for granting more autonomy.

It is learnt that in the proposed Bill, which the HRD ministry has recently circulated, it has suggested that the IIM Board be allowed to choose their own representatives. Presently they need the ministry's approval in this regard.

"However it does not mean that the ministry has relinquished all say as one its representative will also be there on the Board," a source said.

There have been controversies over the appointment of heads of these prestigious schools. The HRD ministry under Smriti Irani had rejected the three names selected by the IIM Ahmedabad board to be its chairman.

The proposed IIM bill, which has seen much wrangling between the HRD ministry and the PMO over its provisions in the past few months, will soon be put before the Cabinet.

According to sources, the proposed legislation will be put up for discussion in the Cabinet as many of the contentious issues have been resolved.

It is learnt that the issue of providing autonomy to Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) on various matters, including deciding the fees structure, has been retained in the draft bill.