MUMBAI: Over 200 professors of IIT-Bombay on Monday went on mass leave demanding pay parity with government scientists.

"IIT professors are loosing Rs 23 lakh in their career compared with the government scientists and other officials of similar rank," Somya Mukherjee, Secretary of Faculty Forum IIT-B, said.

The salary hike demand is also to attract faculties to join IITs, he said, adding the government has announced setting up of eight new IITs across the country and 8,000 professors are needed for that.

"Our job in IIT is teaching and research unlike other universities, where research is secondary. So, we are demanding honour and prestige for our work," Mukherjee said.

He also condemned the Gowardhan Mehta report submitted to the government in February this year, saying some of its recommendations are not favouarable to professors.

"The report has suggested that IIT professor should have work experience of three years after PhD. However, it is very unlikely that after getting job, people may come here," he said.

Source: TOI