New Delhi, Oct 2  The long standing row between the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the human resource development (HRD) ministry about autonomy and allied issues had been solved but "within government norms", HRD Minister Kapil Sibal said Friday, adding tht there will be no change in the salary structure of the IIT faculty.

"On Gandhi Jayanti, I want to give good news to the nation. Now, there is no issue between the government and the IITs," Sibal said after an hour-long meeting with IITs faculty federation here.

Though there will be no change in the salary structure of the IIT faculty, the government is "flexible on certain issues where there is a need for exception".

The IIT faculty federation was "happy and clear" about it and said "their demand for flexibility was accepted by the minister".

"The norm is existing for long and everything will be done within that... we have given the IITs power to take decisions in exceptional situations.

"We want the IITs to remain autonomous and pursue excellence. We want to foster the IIT brand. There will be no interference," Sibal added. (IANS)