New Delhi: Clearing all speculation on faculty reservation in Indian institutes of technology (IITs), Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal on Wednesday said quota in faculty recruitment at the IITs was a fact and these institutions "have to work with it".

"Faculty reservation in IITs is a fact. Any attempt to exempt (it) is infructuous," Sibal told all the 12 IITs in a programme at IIT Delhi.

The comment came after IIT Delhi director Surendra Prasad said: "Sir, we are a little bit confused on faculty reservation. There is mental strain among us about it. We are confused."

In response to the statement, Sibal made his stand clear and went on to add that "as we move bottom upward, the problem will be solved. You have to work with it."

The HRD ministry last year had advocated implementation of 15 percent quota for Scheduled Castes, 7.5 percent for Scheduled Tribes and 27 percent for Other Backward Castes in the faculty recruitments. However, all IITs across the country have opposed it.

Sibal said that IITs might be confused about the issue but not the government. "We are not confused. The issue must be handled with sensitivity and care."

"No institution can live in isolation. It has to take everyone along."

Though majority of the IITs expressed their displeasure over the development, many refused to give an official comment. But IIT Madras director M.S. Ananth told sources "We are going to debate the issue." IANS