IIT standoff 'resolved', federation to discuss promises

However, even as federation president M Thenmozhi expressed satisfaction over the government’s assurances, some of its office-bearers said a general body meeting was needed to develop wider consensus on them. “I have made it clear that what has been decided by the government is in the nature of norms and the IIT system has enough flexibility to deviate from it in exceptional situations,” Sibal told reporters after a meeting with AIFF representatives here.

Exceptions like the provision to set aside ten per cent recruitments annually at entry level for PhDs from IITs to retain talent within can be made by the IIT Boards, he said. “Now, there is no issue between the government and the IITs… the faculty federation was happy and clear about it and said their demand for flexibility was accepted by the minister. The norm exists for long and everything will be done within that,” he said.
The government is also open to revisiting the 40 per cent cap on senior professor grade if “there is a level of excellence that requires relaxing the cap”, Sibal said.

However, he added, that the IIT system would have to work out the norms for making such exceptions. Friday’s meeting, he said, had helped remove the doubts in the minds of agitating teachers.