Kolkata: The Faculty Council of Indian Institute of Management (Calcutta), which vociferously protested Government order asking for fee reduction, today (Apr 28, 2004) filed a writ petition before the High Court challenging the legality of March 26 Board meeting of the institute.

The Dean of Faculty Council Ashish Bhattacharya told reporters that the Board meeting of March 26 was not legal as it was violative of the Memorandum of Association & Rules of the institute.

He said that in the aforesaid Board meeting, which authorised chairman Y C Deveshwar to draft a resolution pertaining to fee reduction issue, the HRD (Human Resource Development) ministry had appointed nominees, which was not in consonance with the rules of the institute.

Meanwhile, the Faculty Council had also decided to charge fees at old rates from students. However, in case the Supreme Court, where the matter was now sub-judice, gives ruling ordering fee reduction, then the excess money would be refunded to students at SBI interest rates.

The Faculty Council had also decided not to avail Rs four crore provided by the ministry till disposal of the case.

Bhattacharya said that the Council was also critical of Deveshwar who went in favour of the Government order.