The IIT federation, fighting for high wages and autonomy, urged Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to intervene in the matter. The move came just a day after Union Human Resources Minister, Kapil Sibal, announced to keep status co over salary issues at this point of time. He had said that the government is not financially sound enough to address wages issue of IIT faculty.

The federation also urged Dr. Singh for the institutionalization of talks with HRD Ministry for the smooth running of IIT's affairs, and requested him to address the issue of fresh appointments and promotions of IIT faculty members. The federation members conveyed their message to the PM by holding a meet with TKA Nair, Principal Secretary to the PM.

A federation member said: "We conveyed our apprehensions on the restrictions on the flexible cadre system of the IITs, the need to have a mandate from the HRD ministry that such flexibility would be retained and the need also for an effective pay package for the IIT faculty at entry level."

The federation pressed for more financial assistance to HRD ministry for better pay package to IIT faculty. It also asked for better entry level packages for teachers; and academic grade pay of Rs 10,000 for associate professors and Rs 11,000 for professors.

Meanwhile, a special committee set up by directors of IITs will look into the salary related issues of faculty members.