New Delhi: The month-long standoff between
the Government and IIT faculty over the issue of pay structure
ended today with HRD Minister Kapil Sibal saying the norms
could be relaxed in exceptional cases.
"All issues between IIT faculty and HRD Ministry over
pay structure have been resolved," he told reporters after
meeting IIT faculty representatives to sort out the issue.
The guidelines issued on pay structure are only
norms, he said, adding that the "IIT system has the
flexibility to deviate from the norms in exceptional cases. We
are prepared to re-visit any of the guideline in case of
exceptional cases."
The IIT faculty had been demanding withdrawal of 40
per cent cap on promotion of professors to senior grade. The
teachers were also opposing the provision of contractual
appointment at entry level.
"If in a particular discipline faculty is not
available as per the existing norms, the IITs can relax the
norms to absorb any person," Sibal said.
Prof M Thenmozhi, President of All India IIT Faculty
Federation, said they were happy with the discussions with
Sibal. "The Minister has assured us about IIT retaining
flexibility and they can relax norms. This will help IITs move
forward," she said.
Around 1,500 IIT faculty had gone on a day-long hunger
strike on September 24 to protest the HRD Ministry guidelines.
Bureau Report
First Published: Friday, October 02, 2009, 13:27