We are getting closer: Raju on consensus on draft IIM bill

Consensus appears to be emerging on the draft IIM bill with HRD Minister M M Pallam Raju today saying they "were getting closer" to it after reworking on the proposed legislation that sought to create an overarching body to regulate these premier B-schools.
Admitting that there were objections in the original draft bill by some IIMs which feared their autonomy would be encroached upon with the setting up of an overarching IIM council, he said the bill was reworked accordingly.
According to the revised draft, there would be a coordination forum of IIMs-- a "recommendatory" body deliberating on matters of common interest, review achievement of policy objectives and perform such functions referred to it by the Centre.

"There were couple of minor issues that were raised today and I think we are getting closer," Raju said without elaborating after chairing a meeting of the IIM heads.
Sources maintained that IIM Ahmedabad sought to get back after deliberating on the bill.
Raju said the government's intention is not to "impinge" on the autonomy of the IIMs as these institutes have thrived because of their autonomy.

However, he underlined that "we want to develop a stronger understanding with the IIMs and the ministry because what happens is eventually the accountability demanded by the ministry. We have requested there should be more sharing of information with us," he said.

The draft bill seeks to make the IIMs centres of excellence and accord them the power to grant degrees instead of diplomas.
The coordination forum would comprise the HRD minister, the minister in charge of technical education of the particular state with an IIM, secretary technical education at the Centre, the chairperson and director of each institute and three members of excellence in the sphere of academic and public service.