The Lok Sabha approved a bill on Friday that would give the president the authority to oversee the IIMs’ management, act as a visitor and dismiss the director, and name a candidate for a selection committee. Dharmendra Pradhan, the education minister for the lower house, said that the aim of the bill seeks to amend the IIM Act 2017 is not to take away the academic accountability from the institution but instead to ensure its management accountability of the center has spent over Rs 6,000 crore to setting up the IIMs.
The visitor may appoint one or more persons to review any institute’s work and progress, to hold inquiries into affairs thereof to report in such manner as the visitor may direct. The board may also recommend to the visitor an inquiry as deemed proper against the institutions which has not been functioning by the provision and objectives of the act.
Under the IIM Act, which came into force in January 2018 and granted the premier B-school greater autonomy, the board of governors of each institute has 19 members, including just one central government representative.
The board nominates its remaining 17 members from among eminent personalities, faculty and alumni the board also appoints the search panels for the appointment of new directors and chairpersons.
