Anil Kakodkar Resigns as Chairman of the Board of Governors of IIT-B
Renowned nuclear scientist Anil Kakodkar has resigned as the chairman of the board of governors of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay, apparently because of differences with the Human Resource Development Ministry over selection of some IIT directors.
Significantly, his move came ahead of a crucial meeting-cum-selection committee to select the directors of IIT Patna, Bhubaneswar and Ropar.
The committee is chaired by Minister Smriti Irani and Kakodkar is one of the members of the panel. The committee is slated to meet on 22nd March. The committee is chaired by Irani and Kakodkar is one of the members of the panel. The committee is slated to meet on March 22. Significantly, his move came ahead of a crucial meeting of search-cum-selection committee to select the directors of IIT Patna, Bhubaneswar and Ropar.
Significantly, his move came ahead of a crucial meeting of search-cum-selection committee to select the directors of IIT Patna, Bhubaneswar and Ropar.Significantly, his move came ahead of a crucial meeting of search-cum-selection committee to select the directors of IIT Patna, Bhubaneswar and Ropar.A member of the selection committee and chairman of the Standing Committee of the IIT Council (SCIC), Kakodkar resigned on March 12 after “disagreement” over the choice of an IIT director, sources said.
According to sources in HRD ministry, there was consensus on the choice of directors for IIT Patna and Bhubaneswar. But there was no agreement on IIT Ropar, adding that 37 candidates for the director’s job were shortlisted and a dozen were called for an interview, the process involving 12 candidates was later cancelled.
Kakodkar’s term as IIT Bombay chairman was to end in May. When contacted, he confirmed he had put in his papers but asked why, he said: “I have spent almost nine years in this capacity. There are a lot of other things to do in life. So, I decided to resign.”
HRD minister Smriti Irani denied differences with Kakodkar. “I have personally spoken to Dr Kakodkar. His is a respected name in the field of IITs. His tenure was already ending this May and the last board meeting had already been held. On my request, he will continue in the post. There are some people who are spreading disinformation about my ministry.”
Meanwhile, IIT Delhi director Raghunath K Shevgaonkar has also written to the ministry, stating that his resignation letter dated December 22, 2014. His resignation is yet to be accepted.