New Delhi: Mr.Sam Pitroda, the Chairman of National Knowledge Commission (NKC) has come out heavily on any kind of interference by ministries in the functioning of India's premier educational institutions.

In his recent letter to the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, the NKC chairman, said the direct involvement of administrative ministries (in their functioning) could result in 'unfortunate situations'.

The national Knowledge Commission is for functional autonomy for all the distinguished educational institutions including Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). He also indicated that the proposed appointment of the heads of the many IITs, IIMs and Central universities under the Eleventh Five Year Plan should be kept free of any kind of political interferences.

Speaking on the issue, Mr. Pitroda said "The appointment of directors/vice-chancellors of the new IITs, IIMs, IISERs, Central universities, AIIMS must be made by a search committee that has an independent chair, capable of exercising the highest quality of judgment. The direct involvement of administrative ministries can result in unfortunate situations."