IIMA to seek Rs 84 cr Central grant for infrastructure

Ahmedabad, Sep 29 (UNI) The IIMA board proposes to seek central grant of Rs 84 crore as a one-time capital expenditure for creating infrastructure to meet the 54 per cent expansion of seats following Veerappa Moily Committee recommendations on 27 per cent OBC reservation.

IIMA director Prof Bakul Dholakia told UNI that the board meeting today, apart from discussing the annual report for 2005-06, also discussed in-depth the modalities for implementing the 27 per cent OBC quota that requires 54 per cent expansion of seats.

''It was decided to seek three years time beginning 2007 until 2010 so that faculties, and administrative infrastructure are in place for the purpose,'' Prof Dholakia said.

''Following the expansion, the 2-year MBA student strength would rise from 560 to 862 which would require an additional 38 faculties and 57 additional administrative staff,'' Prof Dholakia said.

Stating that IIMA had originally proposed a four-year time frame in 2002 for expansion of seats at its own initiative and that was being largely implemented from 2003 until 2007, Prof Dholakia said that in 2002 there were 425 students and in 2007 the students strength would be 750. ''We introduced the 2-year and 1-year programme and the Phd programme expansion. We therefore feel that we require an extra year from 2007 to commence the new initiative until 2009-10,'' he said.

''The Rs 84 crore, which we would be asking the Centre, would be as an one-time capital expenditure for creating the necessary infrastructure. We are not asking for any annual recurring expenditure apart from this one-time capital expenditure. Any recurring expenditure like salaries would be met from internal resources,'' Prof Dholakia said. The next IIMA board meeting is scheduled in December.

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