YK Alagh to take over as IRMA chairman

Former Planning Commission member and academician YK Alagh has been selected as the new chairman of the Institute of Rural Management, Anand (IRMA), putting an end to speculations.

This was disclosed by acting chairperson of IRMA and chairperson of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) Amrita Patel and also by Nilima Khaitan, director of IRMA, after the IRMA board meeting held at Anand today.

IRMA was actively looking for a replacement after the institute's founder and chairman Verghese Kurien quit amidst controversy earlier this year.

When contacted, Alagh, who was also the vice-chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University between 1992 and 1996, confirmed his appointment and told Business Standard that the institute could play a significant role in rural development.

Alagh said that the agro-climatic plans, which he had conceptualised during Rajiv Gandhi's prime ministership, may be revived in the present context.

Alagh is taking over as the chairman of IRMA at a difficult time. Four professors of IRMA have resigned en masse and the rural management institute is virtually divided between Kurien and Amrita Patel loyalists. However, Alagh said "rule-based" administration would help him win support at IRMA.

He said organisations always had people who were not happy and questioned the management style.

However, he added the same set of people were also convinced that some of the steps being taken were correct, besides being necessary for the overall growth of the institution. Alagh said he would take over as soon as the necessary formalities were over.