MHRD IPR Chair Series: Information Received from IIT, Kharagpur

The author has analysed all the data received through which, the author seeks to trace the presence of unjustified underutilisation of funds by the aforementioned university as provided by the MHRD during the period of 2013-2014.

To collect the information for the given study, an RTI application was filed to IIT, Kharagpur on 25/11/2014 by the Centre for Internet and Society. The reply to the same was received on 17/12/2014. Following this, a second application was filed on the 10/03/2015 by the Centre for Internet and Society. The reply to RTI application was received on 17/04/2015.

These are the documents received by CIS from IIT, Kharagpur:

• For the reply to the first RTI application click here
• For the reply to the second RTI application click here
• For the documents detailing the proposal for the setting up of IPR chair in IIT, Kharagpur, click here
• For the documents detailing the minutes of the meeting regarding the setting up of the IPR chair in IIT, Kharagpur, click here

Hereinafter, in order to receive any information about IIT, Kharagpur’s RTI reply, kindly refer to the above mentioned links. Following are the queries mentioned in the RTI application along with their replies.

• Reports on the implementation of the IPERPO scheme of the Ministry of Human Resource Development and the implementation of the MHRD IPR Chair funded under the scheme at IIT, Kharagpur
  Reply: IIT, Kharagpur has submitted the documents required under this track.
• Documents detailing the release of grants to the MHRD IPR Chairs under the IPERPO Scheme
  Reply: Documents pertaining to the year 2006 and 2013 have been submitted by the University.
• Documents relating to receipts of utilisation certificates and audited expenditure statements and matters related to all financial sanctions with regard to funds granted to the MHRD IPR Chair established under the IPERPO scheme at IIT, Kharagpur.
  Reply: The University replied that it has not received any confirmation from the MHRD regarding the mentioned documents.

Comparative Analysis between University Response and the guidelines of MHRD Scheme Document
The Scheme document of MHRD is comprehensive document which consists of guidelines regarding Intellectual Property Education, Research and Public Outreach. It talks about a list of objectives, purposes, conditions and eligibility criteria for a University to ensure in order to implement IPERPO in a truest sense. This document provides the procedural as well as qualifying conditions for an Institute to ensure or fulfil before applying for the MHRD grant. Some of these conditions include maintenance of utilization certificates, audit reports, expenditure statements and event information which would be open to access on demand by MDHR or Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

A. Objectives
In order to fulfil the objectives mentioned in the scheme document, IIT, Kharagpur undertook following activities:
a. Conducting multiple workshops over the years to further the training of teachers as well as at a student level
b. Hosting numerous conclaves on the subject of IPR and their relation to business
c. Providing short term course on training of teachers in the field of IPR
d. Held various symposiums, seminars and conferences for the furtherance of IPR
e. Hosted various interactive platforms regarding IPR
f. Undertook research collaborations in IPR
B. Eligibility
IIT, Kharagpur is recognized by the University Grants Commission. Therefore, it fulfils the eligibility criteria mentioned in the scheme document.

Financial Analysis
The University has not provided documents regarding any financial analysis.