New Delhi: The Board of Governors of the six Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have decided to grant full tuition fee waiver to all admitted students whose annual gross family income was below Rs two lakh, Government informed the Lok Sabha today (Jul 6, 2004).

Observing that the IIMs have taken a "more compassionate view" of the needs of financially disadvantaged students, HRD Minister Arjun Singh said during Question Hour that instead of Rs 30,000 fees which every student was supposed to pay, "The poor students have been given a total fee waiver and those who can afford to pay will pay normal fees."

Following this decision, the Government, which is fully committed to respect the autonomy of all institutions of higher learning which have attained excellence, has accepted the fee structure and withdrawn its February five, 2004, order fixing the fees at Rs 30,000 per annum on June 29.

Announcing that an IIM would be set up at an "appropriate location" in the Northeast in consultation with Chief Ministers of the region, Singh said the Government would take an appropriate view about the recommendations in consultation with the IIMs.