Sibal to meet agitating IIT teachers on Friday

Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal has agreed to meet a federation of IIT teachers, who are protesting the government's rejection of their demand for pay parity with the scientists of the DRDO.

Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal has agreed to meet a federation of Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) teachers, who are protesting the government's rejection of their demand for pay parity with the scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

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"In reply to the IIT faculty's telegram seeking an appointment with Sibal, the minister had agreed to meet them Friday," a HRD ministry official said.

"The minister wants to solve the issue, at least listen to the faculty, before going on his official tour to Paris on Saturday. The IITs have been informed about this decision," the official added.

For the last couple of months, teachers of seven IITs have been protesting after the HRD ministry rejected their demand for salaries at par with the DRDO scientists.

They are also against a 40 percent cap on the promotion of professors to the next grade.

The faculty federation says that looking at the teaching staff crunch, fresh PhDs should be appointed on regular roles, like in other universities. But the ministry directive says that the candidate should have at least three years of teaching experience.

Nearly 2,000 IIT professors had observed a hunger strike last month but without affecting the classes.