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Prakash Javadekar has molded the IIM Bill in a move to silence the controversy that was flared when former HRD Minister Smriti Irani introduced the bill that reportedly could have jeopardized the autonomy of the respected Indian Institute of Management. The fresh draft has been prepared after discussions on some points with the Prime Minister's Office.
As per the new draft, the top appointments in IIMs will be done by their board of governors rather than by the Indian President and the government’s input.
Also Read: IIM Bill Over Autonomy Delayed again
Under the lead of Smriti Irani, the human resource development ministry had also thought of a similar bill that would set up Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) and appoint directors picked by the government.
Soon after the inception of the bill, the premier business institutions of India started protesting against the bill, saying that it would hamper the autonomy of the institutes. The HRD ministry and the PMO were also in disagreement on various points.
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As per the new draft, a coordination council will be set in place for all the IIMs which will also comprise of government representatives and will make non-binding suggestions that the institutes can consider whereas the previous bill made it necessary for the IIMs to implement the suggestions made by the coordination council.
Dr. Pritam Singh, a former IIM director said that the government should not be involved in the appointments of directors of IIMs.
Currently, there are 13 IIMs in India and the ministry has declared the establishment of five more. The new IIMs have also asked the ministry to pass a bill that will enable them to award degrees as they are presently conferring diplomas that are not recognized overseas.
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The IIM Act will demand the institutes to reserve seats for beneficiaries of confirmatory action in admission to the various courses they offer as well as for faculty. The IIMs are declared societies that presently don’t offer any quota.
