IIM Bill to be introduced in Monsoon Session of Parliament

The contentious IIM Bill has finally reached the Union Cabinet. It will be tabled in the Monsoon Session of Parliament and is likely to go to either a select or standing committee.

The Ministry of Human Resource Development had forwarded the draft of the IIM Bill in April this year. The Bill was awaiting Law Ministry’s approval before being sent to the Cabinet.

The education bill aims to provide these premiere management institutions powers to grant degrees instead of post-graduate diplomas, which is done at present.

There were reports that PMO and HRD Ministry held different views on certain aspects, including the composition of its Board of Governors, among others.

According to reports, the contentious aspects related to the Bill have been worked out between PMO and the Ministry including the status for autonomy to IIMs.

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The Ministry wanted the President to be the visitor of IIMs with power to review their functioning. But, the PMO was in favour of the board of governors holding such power. However, the ministry eventually managed to convince PMO citing the example of IITs where a similar provision has been successful.

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Another bone of contention between the two was, HRD minister as the ex-officio head. PMO was of the view that no minister should head it, but the HRD Ministry argued that IIT Council too is headed by the HRD minister but its autonomy remains intact.

However, the Ministry agreed with PMO over the composition of IIM boards. The Ministry wanted only three out of the 14 members from among alumni, while the PMO suggested 5.

The ministry also agreed with the PMO's suggestion that IIMs need not seeks government’s help for regulatory changes.