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% 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.
