After nearly six weeks of protests at the IITs, it had seemed that the impasse over pay hike was sorted out. This was after the directors and teachers’ representatives met Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal last week. But all is not well at the IITs.

According to professors at IIT-Kharagpur, nothing significant has been achieved from the deliberations. “We did not expect any new government order. The ministry will interpret the existing rules further and try to convince us that they are considering our demands,” said a representative of IIT-Kharagpur Teachers’ Federation.

M Thenmozhi, president of the All India IIT Teachers’ Federation, however, claimed: “The talks held on Friday and Saturday between the directors and the minister were positive. The minister has assured us that he will do whatever he can do in his capacity.” She added that though there will be no fresh draft on the salary and service conditions, the ministry has promised that the chairman, board of governors and directors of the IITs will deal with issues in a more flexible manner. The IIT council will henceforth meet more often.

But contrary to her claim, many teachers at IIT-Kharagpur are not happy with the outcome of the talks. “Most teachers are unhappy and feel a great injustice is being done to the IIT system. But we are not transporters or pilots and cannot prolong our agitation,” said a professor.

A teacher claimed that the only breakthrough has been the ministry agreeing that a teacher having four years experience as associate professor in IIT or similar institutions will be eligible for the post of professor.

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