MUMBAI: “It is too casual a process for the appointment of directors of IITs,” said nuclear scientist Anil Kakodkar in his first remarks on record after his run-in with the HRD ministry over the appointment of directors of the IITs at Patna, Ropar and Bhubaneshwar. Union minister Smriti Irani had called for a fresh process to interview 36 candidates in a single day. “What was done before was okay. Looking at all 36 candidates in one day is not right. There is a fundamental difficulty with the process. How do you ensure that you make the correct selection?” he asked, while speaking to TOI on Monday.Kakodkar had resigned as chairman of both the IIT-Bombay board of governors (BoG) and the standing committee of the IIT Council on March 12. Although he later decided to continue, Kakodkar did not attend the search-cum-selection committee meeting on Sunday. The panel had earlier shortlisted 12 candidates. The list was later scrapped.“The last meeting of the IIT-Bombay’s BoG is over and therefore I wanted to step down. If they want me to continue I will. I am a responsible person,” said Kakodkar, who was associated with IIT-Bombay for almost a decade. He was the chairman of BoG for three terms. When asked if he would attend any meeting of the search committee for appointing the three directors, he said, “This process is over.” However, Kakodkar said he would continue in the post till May before moving on.Kakodkar had resigned as chairman of both the IIT-Bombay board of governors (BoG) and the standing committee of the IIT Council on March 12. (PTI photo)A senior member of one of the IIT boards said, “Usually, shortlisted candidates are called for the interviews. We have been following this process, and have managed to produce some of the greatest directors in the past. Now, the Centre is trying to bring about changes in a well-established and successful system.”