IIMC’s varsity dream in trouble

New Delhi: The government’s ambitious plans to turn India’s premier media institution, Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), into a national university seems to be headed for trouble. The process seems to have suffered a major setback as the Union ministry of information and broadcasting has reportedly cancelled discussion on the issue with various stakeholders.

The discussion, scheduled for March first week, was cancelled after the ministry expressed its unhappiness with the DG on the progress of the project which aims to set up an international media university, a Rs 72 crore project, sanctioned during the UPA regime. The cancellation was also necessitated after faculty and staff members of the IIMC complained against the DG to the I&B ministry, sources said.

It is understood that the IIMC staff and faculty are currently  leading a campaign for removal of Mr Tandon, who is currently serving in the post past his official tenure. The DG’s term expired in 2012 and a letter signed by under-secretary in the I&B ministry  Manmeet Kaur dated November 15, 2012 said that Mr Tandon “will hold the current charge of DG, IIMC, till further orders”.

Questions are also being raised over Mr Tandon’s continuation in the post as a  man working “on till further orders” do not have legal or moral authority to take decisions.