The Hindu Business Line : IIM-C resolution on fee cut ready

THE Chairman of the IIM-C governing council, Mr Y.C. Deveshwar, on Tuesday prepared the resolution on the fee reduction, which is expected to be placed before the board of governors shortly.

He has agreed to accept the Union HRD Ministry's order on the fee cut, subject, of course, to a number of caveats.

The draft resolution has considered the HRD Ministry's order as "binding" on the IIM-C and is based on the assumption that the institute's autonomy will not be trampled upon. A copy of the draft has been made available to Business Line.

It has also taken note of the fact that the Ministry would take care of the loss accruing due to the fee cut so that the institute's plans to develop its -class learning infrastructure is not affected.

The IIM-C council had earlier entrusted the Chairman with the task of drafting a resolution on the contentious issue.

A detailed rationale behind the resolution has said that issues related to legitimacy of the Ministry's order fall within the domain of the Supreme Court, which is hearing a PIL on the subject.

The Supreme Court's decision, if any, will override any decisions including that of the board of governors, if not in conformity with it.

It, however, believes that the stakeholders, the public and the media, having already expressed views, could rest assured that "their views have been heard by all those currently concerned with the Institute and those who may be concerned in the future".

It cannot be contested that the HRD Ministry is accountable to the Cabinet and the Government, in turn, is accountable to Parliament.

These agencies, charged with exercising such accountability, are well aware of the reasoning behind the opinions expressed on the issue of the fee cut, as well as those related to the legitimacy of the Government Order (GO) in this regard.

Similarly, issues raised by some members of the board of governors with regard to prior consultation with the State Government in the matter of nomination to the board of governors or any other matter, as well as those related to the legitimacy of the GO in relation to its timing in view of the impending elections, are in the domains of the State Government and the Election Commission respectively.

Since a new Government is elected at least once in every five years, no decision of the incumbent Government can remain outside of the review process of the incoming Government. Therefore, no decision of any Government is cast in stone.

Indeed, if the same Government were to return to power, they could also subject any of their earlier decisions to a process of review, it is pointed out.

"Therefore, in a bid to find a way forward, the GO may be implemented in the belief that it is binding on the Institute and that it is in the domain of the HRD Ministry to frame policies related to subsidy in education. This decision of the board is taken in view of the assurance by the Ministry that the financial consequences of implementing the GO will be fully funded by the Government and will not adversely impact the institute's plans to develop world-class teaching and learning infrastructure."