Ahmedabad: Highlighting "cordial dialogue" with the Union HRD Ministry as the solution to the fee-cut and autonomy issues, the Indian Institute of Management (Ahmedabad) decided to "maintain a status quo in its fee structure for the fresh batch" and said it "would consider a revision only after the talks were held."

The IIM-A Board of Governors Chairman and Infosys chief N R Narayana Murthy, evading a direct reply when asked if the "status quo meant that they were going against the HRD Ministry's instruction to slash fee, said that "the fees structure would remain status quo and a revision would be considered only after talks are held with the Ministry".

Murthy said, "The board of governors that met today did not discuss the PIL (Public Interest Litigation) filed before the Supreme Court or details about the IIMs being asked to be a party to it. We do not know what will be the decision but will hold talks with the Ministry first."

"Maintaining the status quo would mean that the fee structure of Rs 1.58 lakh would remain the same. Talks would be on with the HRD Ministry, there is a PIL and based on the outcome of these events the board will consider revision," Murthy said.

The IIM-A chairman also categorically denied newspaper reports that "a fee-hike was suggested during the Society's meet that took place yesterday in his presence."

"No such proposal (of hiking fees) was made before us. Two resolutions were passed authorising the board chairman to come to a decision on the crucial issues and it stands that way," Murthy said when asked about the reports in a section of media today.

However, the two Government representatives did not attend the meeting.