A study in confusion

As Amitabh Kundu refuses to take over as director, the headless IIAS continues to grope for direction

In the 42 years of its existence, the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies IIAS has survived several crises, the most prominent being the move to shift it from the historic Viceregal Lodge. A relentless struggle by scholars had, at the time, stalled the V.P. Singh government8217;s bid to vacate the lodge to convert it into a five-star resort. The institute is back in the news8212;this time, ironically, for being static.

For over 14 months now8212;after Bhuvan Chandel retired in February 20068212;the IIAS has been without a director. It has not only paralysed all work but also rendered the institute without a roadmap for the future. Worse, the person recently chosen to take over as director has reportedly spurned the offer. Amitabh Kundu, economist and dean of School of Social Sciences at JNU, was selected by IIAS Chairman Balachandra Mungekar from a panel of three, who were shortlisted by a high-powered selection committee set up for the purpose last year.

It8217;s not clear if a fresh panel will be drawn up by another committee to be set up by the HRD Ministry or the next person on the previous list will take precedence. While some experts feel that there is a need to go through a fresh selection process, it will push back the appointment by another few months.

8220;An institute of international acclaim like the IIAS can8217;t afford to remain headless, but the HRD Ministry and bureaucracy should also be blamed for the delay, not just me,8221; says Mungekar, a member of the Planning Commission. He, however, promises: 8220;I will wait another week and then take the next appropriate step.8221;

The director8217;s appointment is crucial in view of the fact that as a residential centre for research, the institute doesn8217;t have a defined academic calendar to promote creative thinking, guide research and organise seminars. 8220;The institute can easily drift into aimlessness without a dynamic leadership. The place has great potential, but a director needs to be appointed immediately,8221; says Mrinal Miri, who was IIAS director between 1993 and 1999.

The damage has been incurred on more than one front: the selection of fellows and scholars has stopped, only one of the three mandatory seminars in a calendar year has been organised in Delhi, the training programme for in-service faculty IIAS is a resource centre for the University Grants Commission has halted, and the MoU with UGC which lapsed months ago has not been renewed.

Of the several key posts lying vacant are that of the librarian, a job currently being handled by the assistant librarian, the accounts officer and of the deputy secretary administration. The post of secretary too will fall vacant in the next few days, says Mungekar. The two-year term of incumbent Ajoy Chudhury, and senior IAS officer, expires on May 15.

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Controversy is not new to the IIAS. During the NDA regime, the IIAS was charged with maladministration, even saffronisation. Leading the charges was HRD Minister Arjun Singh, whose ministry mans IIAS8217;s affairs. After receiving complaints from a senior fellow of the institute, he had also ordered an inquiry into the charges of corruption against the previous director. A one-man committee headed by D. Bandopadhyay had probed the allegations and submitted its report to the ministry, which in turn asked the governing council headed by Mungekar to initiate action. However, till date, no steps have been taken to implement the 63 recommendations despite the report having been discussed at the council. Now Prem Singh, a former fellow at the IIAS, has filed a public interest litigation in the Delhi High Court, saying that Mungekar must accept moral responsibility and resign.

It may not be the answer to IIAS8217;s current crop of problems. If anything, it will worsen the situation.