Today's ET carries an inconspicuous ad on the last page of a four page ad pullout. It is a small ad and jostles for attention with assorted trade items. The total compensation is stated to be Rs 50,000. The advertisement is for the directorships at three IIMs: Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Bangalore. Applicants have been asked to send their letters to a designated official in the ministry of HRD.
This is the first time ( in many years at least) that the post is being advertised openly. To the extent that this makes for a transparent, competitive search, it is welcome. The earlier procedure was to constitute a selection committee that wrote to heads of various IITs and IIMs to make nominations. For the most part, the search was confined to the IIM fraternity and at least IIMA has had a tradition of having insiders as directors. Advertising the job makes it possible for anybody to apply.
But surely the post merited a more prominent ad? And if compensation was to have been mentioned at all, surely the full range of benefits should have stated? A more positive way of marketing the position would have been to state that, including income from consultancy, the total package would not compare unfavourably with industry benchmarks. I don't know what message the ad will send out and whether the intention was to downplay the job.
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3 comments:
Sir, I agree that the process would be more transparent, but we are also aware that what ever goes in the hands of the govt is sullied. Would the new director appointed by the govt be able to take the govt head-on, on issues like Reservations for creamy layer, control on finances? There are deeper implications than mere transparency
Anonymous, my post today addresses your concern- nothing changes in the selection process, as my post clarifies.
-TTR
By putting the ad, the Govt. is only ensuring that there is more transparency in the process. I do not understand as to what is the fear of such a process? Who does it threaten? Was there some other method followed earlier for appointments? The ad system would only ensure that there is a wider choice available. Earlier the ministry used to struggle with the limited number of names provided by the slection committee. I see this whole thing as a non-issue.
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