IIM fee cut debatable, but autonomy intact: Jaitley

‘‘I don’t want to get into the debate over the fee structure. People have their own views,’’ he was quoted by PTI as telling an interactive meeting in Bangalore today with members of the Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

‘‘I find it is debatable that whether it (fee cut) is to be done or not…On the issue of interference in future, I think this fear, it is absolutely misconstrued.’’ He also said that the ongoing debate on the IIM fee cut issue is a welcome one.Jaitley noted that the government has been supporting IITs and IIMs for years without interfering in its activities, and reiterated that there was no need for fear on the issue.

Earlier, speaking to The Indian Express, Jaswant Singh had said: ‘‘I’m not apprehensive about any imminent danger of damage to the autonomy of these institutes nor their finances over the next two months. If there is a need to sit together and consult, surely we will do that after the elections.’’

Singh had added that his party and the government recognised the fact that institutes like the IIMs played a crucial role in creating top technical talent and were committed to maintaining them as centres of excellence.

‘‘I have not had a chance to discuss the IIM issue with Mr Joshi. He is in his constituency. Neither he nor the government is ambivalent on the question of autonomy of such institutions. As to why the Human Resources Development Minister has taken one step after the other, it is much better that I do not answer these questions unless I have the benefit of consultation with my colleague,’’ Singh had told Express.