While delivering his address at the 43rd Annual Convocation, Mr Vijaypat Singhania, Chairman of IIM-A, minced no word on the issue. Said Mr Singhania, "Institution like the IIMs need to stand on their own feet and should not have to be financially supported indefinitely by any arm of the government. I see no reason why ministry should try to run the institute by proxy. We need autonomy; we need more leg-room. We don't want spoon feeding."
Calling the present state of affairs as shameful, Mr Singhania said, "Recently, the high performer – IIT Bombay, a very reputed institution, had to seek funds from the government even for paying its salaries. This is a shameful state of affairs and I do not want IIMs to undergo such a situation."
Hinting at the reason for the recent fee hike by IIM A for its PGP programme (fee was increased by over 150%), Mr Singhania said, "It is not necessary to coerce the IIMs to eat into their accumulated reserves for survival, or depend perpetually on public donations or ask government's financial support for their survival and growth. I am confident that with the reputation that IIM A has acquired, it is capable of and should be encouraged to stand on its own feet financially." He added, "If we do not correct the catch 22 situation on the faculty compensation package or the stranglehold of the government in determining the course fee for the PGP discipline, I am afraid very seen the basic foundation shall be shaken."
Mr Singhania also called upon Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission, who was attending the IIM A convocation as its chief guest, to look into the matter.
Ending his hard hitting address on an optimistic note, Mr Singhania said, "I am sure wiser counsel shall prevail sooner than later."
