IIM-C alumni against fee cut

The executive committee of IIM Calcutta's Alumni Association, Kolkata chapter organised a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the decision of the chairman of the IIMC board to accept the fee cut.

The members ,who were opposed to the decision, passed a resolution expressing their strong opposition to the fee cut. A spokesperson of the alumni association later told reporters that the decision of the board chairman did not adequately consider all stakeholders' interest, but had been influenced by other considerations.

On Wednesday, the faculty of Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIM-C) had criticised the board chairman, Y C Deveshwar, over decision to cut fees and kept all options including moving court, open.

The faculty council adopted a resolution, which called for a reconsideration of the resolution drafted by Deveshwar and circulated on Tuesday.

The resolution requested Deveshwar to initiate a process of mutual consultation and discussion with different stakeholders.

"A drastic decision like 80 per cent cut in fees should not be undertaken without a serious and detailed study like of all its implications. That has not yet been done" said the resolution.

Asish K Bhattcharya, dean (planning and administration) IIM-C said that the faculty would keep all its options open and take a decision based on unfolding of events in the coming days.

When asked whether they would move court, he said, moving court was also an options.

Among the other options, the faculty could also join the faculty of IIM-A and IIM-B. Bhattacharya said, there was a convergence of opinion among the faculty of IIM-A, IIM-B and IIM-C and this was evident from the position papers submitted by the respective faculty to its boards.

Responding to queries about whether the process had been initiated, Bhattacharya said, "We are informally interacting."

The resolution alleged that Deveshwar had taken care of one stakeholder only and that is ministry of human resources development (MHRD).

"In doing so he has shown little concern for other stakeholders, tolerated infringement of the authority of the board and presided over a governing body meeting of which the legality is in serious question. The autonomy of the institute is thus eroded", said the resolution.

The faculty was apprehensive about the assurance given by the MHRD on funding from the government of the financial consequences of the fee cut.

Bhattacharya said, the funding would be approved by the ministry of finance, which atually cut down allocation to the IIMs in the interim budget.

Shekhar Chaudhuri, director IIM-C said that the fees for the new session would have to be in place by the first week of May.