Within days of taking over the reins of Union human resource ministry, Prakash Javadekar is understood to have ensured a green signal to the important IIM Bill from the PMO. The PMO and the HRD ministry, locked in a tussle for several months on the autonomy granted to the IIMs during the tenure of the then HRD minister Smriti Irani, are now understood to have arrived at a consensus on the various contentious issues regarding the Bill.
Sources said, once cleared by the Cabinet, will be tabled in the forthcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament that begins from Monday. Once tabled, the bill is likely to be referred to either a select or standing committee to be discussion by political parties.
It is understood that the PMO had recommended several changes to the draft law in an effort to curb the government control over the institutes. However, under Ms Irani, the HRD ministry did not adopt the changes proposed by the PMO.
Against the PMO’s recommendations, the HRD ministry was learnt to have retained the provision which makes the HRD minister the head of the IIM Coordinating Forum.
The ministry was also not willing to dilute the clause that empowers the President to review the work of any IIM in his capacity as the Visitor of the premier B-Schools. The PMO then virtually blocked the Cabinet approval for the Bill.
The legislation will give IIMs national importance and confer them degree-granting powers. Currently, they are run by registered societies and award postgraduate diplomas at the end of two-year programmes instead of an MBA.
It also proposes the establishment of an IIM council similar to the council for the IITs. The legislation is expected to benefit graduates applying abroad for research opportunities and may also help IIMs gain global recognition and attract more foreign students. The proposed legislation has been in the making for several years. The earlier UPA government was unable to push the law through as it could not evolve a consensus on the issue.
