Human resources development minister Arjun Singh said yesterday that autonomy would be restored at the management schools. He indicated that a meeting with the directors of the IIMs could take place as early as next week.

While being cautious over his statements about the IIMs, he said he would like to probe into the "rationale" behind the fee-cut decision of the previous government.

"We have already said all institutions of higher learning must have autonomy. I will have to look into it. The matter has gone to the court," Singh said, when asked by reporters about the fee cut decision. Asked about IIM's desire to hold dialogue with the ministry, he said, "I am prepared for dialogue with anyone, why only with IIMs."

The minister said, "I am not starting with any prejudice. What has to be done will be done." But what will be taken up immediately is the issue of saffronisation of education.

Not hinting at any drastic reversal of the steps the last incumbent, Murli Manohar Joshi, had taken, Singh hoped to address the problem gradually. He said he would be meeting officials from the National Council of Educational Research and Training on Tuesday.

A review committee will be set up to look into the communalisation of education. Singh said education was a continuously evolving and expanding field, and it was therefore important to be flexible in formulating policies for it.

"Let me first see. Give me at least a day's time," he said, when explaining whether his ministry would take concrete steps to reverse the communalisation of education perpetuated by the Joshi ministry.