IIM Bill 2015: A.M. Naik, chairman BoG, IIM Ahmedabad writes to MHRD against move to compromise the autonomy of IIMs

Add Review

MBAUniverse.com News Desk |
June 25, 2015
In no ambiguous terms Mr Naik Chairman BoG, IIMA has written a strong letter to the Minister of HRD, Smriti Irani stating his deep reservations on the proposed IIM Bill
We believe that developing a bill that helps us achieve its vision requires a through and collaborative review process which needs adequate time and deliberation A M Naik Chairman BoG IIM Ahmedabad

In an urgently called press conference at Old campus of IIM Ahmedabad on June 25, 2015,  A. M. Naik, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIM Ahmedabad & IIMA society expressed his anguish and concern on the proposed IIM Bill 2015 which in his view aims to curb the autonomy of the premier B school and centralize the decision taking powers with MHRD.

Prof Ashish Nanda, Director IIM Ahmedabad has already shown his concern on IIM Bill 2015. In fact in its current form the IIM Bill 2015 is not acceptable to IIM Ahmedabad.

In no ambiguous terms Mr Naik Chairman BoG, IIMA has written a strong letter to the Minister of HRD, Smriti Irani stating his deep reservations on the proposed IIM Bill. In his view a few provisions and clauses in the bill are going to seriously compromise the autonomy of the institute.

Mr A M Naik  apart from being the Chairman BoG, IIM Ahmedabad is the Group Executive Chairman of India’s Corporate major Larsen & Toubro. Sharing the concern on IIM Bill 2015 he said “We believe that developing a bill that helps us achieve its vision requires a through and collaborative review process which needs adequate time and deliberation”. Naik referred to section 3(k) and section 36 of the IIM Bill 2015 as they would take away the authority from IIM Boards and will centralize it to the MHRD. The autonomy of IIMs as such will stand eroded after passing of the IIM Bill 2015 and IIMs would not be able to take even operational decisions quickly.

2 autonomy eroding clauses in IIM Bill 2015

Clause 3(k) of IIM Bill 2015 reads
"Regulations mean regulations made by the board with the approval of the central government"

Clause 36 reads
“The board may, with the approval of the central government, by notification, make regulations not inconsistent with this Act and the rules made thereunder to carry out the provisions of this Act".

Both the clauses in view of Mr A M Naik will take away the autonomy of IIMs and therefore need further public debate. Cabinet has already returned the IIM Bill 2015 for public debate the last date for which got over on June 24, 2015.

Extend Public discourse date to July 31
It was emphasized in the letter as well as through the appeal to MHRD in press interaction not to push the bill without proper public debate and extend the date for public debate till July 31, 2015.

Prof Ashish Nanda, Director IIM Ahmedabad while talking to media on June 18, 2015 at a seminar organized at IIFL  had already advised against the provisions of micro-management of IIMs in proposed IIM Bill 2015 that could curb the autonomy of the top B-schools of the country and stated “Autonomy is at the core of flourishing of academic institutions. The government can definitely oversee functioning of educational institutions from a distance, but micro-management is never good. It makes people in the academic institutions feel disempowered."

Once the IIM Act 2015 comes in place, IIM Council is supposed to have the Minister of HRD as its chairman while other members would include Members of Parliament, the directors of all the IIMs, the chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), Representatives of Union Government and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), HRD Ministry senior officials and others from Academic and Corporate sector.

IIMs are in favour of the bill but want the council to have low representation of bureaucrats and greater representation of industry, academicians and IIM officials. Disruption in formation of IIM Society could prove detrimental to IIM autonomy. Accordingly the older IIMs with large and influential alumni base like IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow and others are not in favour of dissolving their societies as they have their alumni and donors who have been accommodated in the societies. IIMs wouldn’t like to disrupt the formation and have requested the MHRD to retain it in the IIM Bill 2015.

Related Article

IIM Bill 2015 should avoid curbing the autonomy of IIMs, says Prof Ashish Nanda Director IIM Ahmedabad

Will CAT 2015 Exam pattern change? Know the Expert's anticipations

IIM Ahmedabad eyes Non PhDs from Corporate & Government; creates full time new faculty post

IIM Bill 2015: MBA or MBM; draft not clear to satisfy international standards

IIM Bill Update: EPSI to demand from MHRD level playing field for PGDM B schools

IIM Bill: EPSI meeting in New Delhi to discuss response from PGDM B-schools

Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more updates on IIM Bill 2015