Sibal hits back at Jairam on IITs standard

No direct rebuff of Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh lest it shows ministerial bickering and yet Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal on Thursday spelled out the government's formal position that IITs and IIMs are indeed world- class.

He insisted at the daily press briefing by the GoM (Group of Ministers) that the government's clarification should not be viewed as an adversarial proceeding as there can be differences in the government position and personal views. Instead of debunking Jairam who has triggered a heated debate with his controversial remarks on Monday, Sibal went on to say that debate is always welcome.

He admitted that "Our institutions might not have gained the critical mass to change the global scientific discourse, but the faculty was not to be blamed for that."The US spends $250 billion on research while India spends only $8 billion, he pointed out.

Brushing aside a volley of questions on the pathetic state of higher education and research in IITs, Sibal said, "The subject today is whether the faculty can be blamed for this or not. I am saying the faculty can't be blamed." This is a categorical rejection of Jairam's contention which the IITs and IIMs themselves had protested against.

Asked if the Government felt compelled to come out with a clarification because the faculty members were upset and complaining, Sibal said, "Every faculty member does not have my mobile number, but yes those who have called up." Asked if this was an ideal situation that the Government has to spend time in explaining ministerial goof- ups, he shot back, " This is a democratic country and ministers are entitled to their views."

He went on to clarify: " There is a general perception that the calibre of contributions by the scientific community do not match the global standards. The recent comment made by a minister should be seen in the light of that generality. But the situation may not be exactly the same.