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JBIMS board in docks due to 'procedural lapses'

The 10-member board was constituted in 2014 after the institute attained autonomy from the MU. As per rules, the board has to meet every three months.

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There could not be a more embarrassing situation for the University of Mumbai and Maharashtra's ace state-run management institute Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS). On papers, the two claim to have left no stone unturned in bringing industries closer to the academia, but in reality both are doing their best to keep industry leaders away from the institute.

Some of the country's top industry leaders, including ICICI bank MD Chanda Kochhar, Kotak Mahindra MD Uday Kotak, Piramal Group chairman Ajay Piramal and Mckinsey India's Noshir Kaka, are JBIMS' board of management members. It has been revealed that whenever their offices inquire with the institute about the next management board meeting, the officials simply remain tight lipped. Reason: The board itself is now facing allegations of "procedural lapses" at the time of its formation.

The 10-member board was constituted in 2014 after the institute attained autonomy from the MU. As per rules, the board has to meet every three months. The last meeting was held in June 2015. Several decisions have piled up for the board's approval, including construction of a new campus in Bandra, new courses and renovation of the existing Churchgate campus.

But no one knows when would the next board meet will be held, while the next academic year is just months away. The so-called "lapses" came to the fore in June 2015, soon after the institute and its parent body university got new heads – Dr Chandrahauns R Chavan and Dr Sanjay Deshmukh respectively. From then on, the board meetings stopped.

Sources claimed the new vice-chancellor and director found "irregularities" in the formation of the board, as "proper procedure" was reportedly not followed by the previous director and the then V-C, while nominating them. The functioning of the board was reportedly put on hold, leading to the speculation that the board might be dissolved or reconstituted abruptly without completing the mandatory three-year term.

Sources said, "The institute didn't issue an official letter informing the industry leaders about their nomination. Only the university's approval letter about composition of the board was reportedly shared with the nominees."

The corporate leaders also accepted the nomination on the goodwill basis and also due to the emotional connect with the college. Kochhar, Piramal, Kotak and Kaka are JBIMS alumni. Industrialist Niraj Bajaj, Anand Patwardhan adjunct professor of Amrita University and three professors of the institute, including director, are also a part of the board.

Sources said, "The letters can be issued even now to resolve the matter, to save the honour of the institute and the board members. Top university officials, however, are making a mockery of the institute and the university due to vested interests."

Sources also claimed that Dr Deshmukh feels the V-C should also be a part of the JBIMS board of management, which is delaying the matter further.

When asked about the disruption in the management, director Dr Chandrahauns R Chavan said, "Neither me nor the V-C has challenged the board formation. Nevertheless, the ball is in the V-C's court." When asked why the institute needs the V-C's nod when it is autonomous, Dr Chavan said, "Certain things are still under the purview of the V-C."

When dna sought V-C Dr Deshmukh's version, he claimed, "Your information is wrong. There were some internal queries related to JBIMS functioning details, which I would not like to share with you. Besides, we have adopted a system to communicate with the media. You should speak to our PRO, telling him all your questions. I will convey my answers through him."

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