Lok Sabha passes Institutes of Technology Bill

The Lok Sabha on monday passed the Institutes of Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2016.

The bill seeks to set up six new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) in Tirupati, Palakkad, Goa, Dharwad, Bhilai, and Jammu.

It also seeks to bring the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad within the ambit of the act.

All these institutions will be declared as institutions of national importance.

Earlier moving the bill in the House, Human Resource and Development Minister Prakash Javadekar sought support of all the members to strengthen the research infrastructure and quality of higher education in the country.

He said the government is focusing on improving the performance of the institutes and quality of education. Initiating the debate, Gourav Gogoi of Congress emphasized the need of paying more attention on the quality of education and research.

He said focus should also be given on setting up of more research parks in the country.

He also opposed raising of annual fees for students in IITs.