Arappor Iyakkam seeks clarity on BIMs legal status

In a letter dated January 19, addressed to Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, Governor R. N. Ravi, Higher Education Minister Govi. Chezhiaan, and senior government officials, Arappor Iyakkam’s M. Radhakrishnan sought to verify who was in charge of the administrative control of BIM.

The Chennai-based NGO also urged the State Government to give a public clarification on the institution’s student admissions, reservation policy and annual fee structure, and for legal action to be taken regarding earlier allegations of malpractice and fund misappropriation in BIM.

‘Autonomous business school’

When contacted, BIM director Asit K. Barma told The Hindu, “This is an autonomous business school, which functions as a School of Excellence as per the statutes of Bharathidasan University, and not as its department. As a School of Excellence, our tie-up with the university is in terms of awarding the degree. BIM is completely autonomous financially, and for academic purposes. Bharathidasan University already has its own Department of Management Studies.”

Mr. Barma added that BIM was the only non-IIM business school chosen by the Tamil Nadu government to partner with the Chief Minister’s Fellowship programme. “BIM is on a huge growth path and what we are doing is absolutely transparent.”