Only IIMs I&K may up fee by 5%

With the threat to autonomy now having received, fee rationalisation received top priority at the IIM directors meet in Lucknow. While no final decision has been taken, it is likely that there w9ill be no hike in fees, barring a marginal increase of 5% at the two new IIMs - Indore and Kozhikode.

The other issue on the agenda was working out of ways to improve synergies among the six institutes. In developing a commonality, the directors agreed that there would be "no dilution of brand of the bigger IIMs." But a beginning towards a common identity has been made, with all six institutes adopting a common letterhead.

No final decision could have been taken as all matters regarding fees have to looked into by finance committees of individual IIMs followed by a decision by the individual board of directors.