9th September 2010 To, Hon. Minister Kapil Sibal, Chairman, IIT Council and Minister for Human Resource Development, New Delhi Dear Sir, Sub: Pending issues in 6th PC implementation in IITs. This is in reference to our meeting on 2nd October 2009 at your residence, wherein you assured us that all issues in the 6th PC implementation at IITs, such as PRIS (O + I), movement to AGP 12000/-, etc. would be resolved as soon as possible. This was followed by a meeting of AIIITFF representatives with Directors of IITs on 3rd October 2009 at IIT Delhi, who also assured us that all our concerns will receive immediate attention. However, although it has been almost one year since these assurances were given, we regret to inform you that no tangible progress has been made on any front till date. Further, even the implementation of some of the issues already considered resolved has been questionable in letter and/or spirit in various cases (items 3 and 4 below). We request you to kindly include the following issues (details in Annexure 1) as agenda items in the IIT Council meeting on 10th September 2010 so that these issues may be resolved immediately. 1. Implementation of Performance Related Incentive Scheme [PRIS (O + I )] 2. Movement to higher academic grade pay (AGP) of Rs. 12000/- per month and any other higher pay scales such as HAG+, etc. 3. Issues in Movement from PB3 to PB4 for Assistant Professors. 4. Eligibility criteria to apply for post of Professor. 5. Common high quality medical facilities, for serving as well as retired employees (irrespective of place of stay). 6. Representation of AIIITFF in IIT Council. We would appreciate it if an opportunity could be provided for an AIIITFF representative to present the concerns mentioned above in the IIT Council meeting on 10th September 2010. Thanking You, Yours Sincerely, (M.Thenmozhi) Copy to: 1. Secretary MHRD. 2. Additional Secretary, Technical Education, MHRD. 3. Chairmen Board of Governors (BOGs) of all IITs. 4. Directors of all IITs. 9th September, 2010 Annexure I Memorandum on Pending Issues on 6PC implementation in IITs 1. Performance Related Incentive Scheme [PRIS (O + I)]. PRIS (O + I) must be implemented immediately across all IITs (old + new) with effect from 1st September 2008 [in accordance with the date of implementation of all perks associated with 6th PC]. It may be kindly noted that the organizational component, PRIS (O), is to reward the scholastic achievements of all faculty members as reflected in their pursuit of higher education and continued excellence as a community in teaching and research. The individual component, PRIS (I) is to further encourage and reward individual faculty members to aspire for excellence in their respective fields. 2. Movement to higher academic grade pay (AGP) of Rs. 12000/- per month, and any other higher pay scales such as HAG+, etc. The higher academic grade pay (AGP) of Rs. 12000/- per month, and any other higher pay scales such as HAG+, etc., must be implemented immediately across all IITs (old + new) with effect from 1st January 2006, i.e. 6th PC implementation date, by considering all faculty members who were eligible as on 1st January 2006. It may be kindly noted that we have continuously emphasized the need to promote excellence by setting benchmarks of academic performance to qualify for all such higher grades/scales, instead of putting a-priori caps of any kind. We would like to underline the fact that this does not mean every faculty member should qualify. We reemphasize that once the benchmarks of academic performance are defined all faculty members who achieve the same should be awarded the higher grades/scales. This would serve to inspire and promote a culture of continued excellence. 3. Movement from PB3 to PB4 for Assistant Professors. Movement from PB3 to PB4 for Assistant Professors should simply require three years of experience as Assistant Professor (or equivalent) in any recognized institute/industry in India or abroad. The very fact that one has been absorbed in the IIT system reflects his/her academic caliber as well as the quality of his/her previous experience. At the current time, previous experience as Assistant Professor even in other IITs and/or US Universities is unfortunately not being considered in many cases. 4. Eligibility criteria to apply for post of Professor. The condition that one must serve for at least 4 years as Associate Professor in IITs before he/she becomes eligible for applying for the post of Professor was introduced for the first time in 6th PC. This must be removed and only the condition of having a total experience of 10 years for eligibility to be considered for the post of Professor must be retained. A forceful restriction of having to spend a minimum number of years at a certain cadre only removes flexibility and does not serve any purpose. On the contrary, this clause is already causing much angst in the ongoing interviews since many faculty members who have served for more than 10 years are not being considered for promotion. This is severely discouraging for anyone aspiring towards excellence. 5. Common high quality medical facilities, for serving as well as retired employees (irrespective of place of stay) of all IITs. Common high quality medical facilities, for serving as well as retired employees (irrespective of place of stay) of all IITs must be implemented. If this requires an amendment of statutes, or any other formality, IIT Council should take immediately act on the same to remove any possible impediments. 6. Representation of AIIITFF in IIT Council. As assured by the Honorable Minister of HRD, it would be desirable if an avenue is created for representation of AIIITFF in the IIT Council. This will ensure that the concerns of faculty members across all IITs find an expression in the highest governing body of these esteemed institutes.