Govt approves bill to set up 20 more IIITs

The Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Bill, 2012 is set to be introduced during the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament, official sources said.

Once enacted, the legislation, cleared by the Union Cabinet, will confer the status of institutes of national importance on IIITs.

The establishment of each IIIT is expected cost Rs 128 crore, with the Centre bearing 50 per cent of the cost and the state government concerned 35 per cent. The remaining 15 per cent will be borne by industry partners.

The Cabinet is understood to have allowed PSUs to become partners in establishment of IIITs.

At present, there are four IIITs funded by the central government. These are at Gwalior, Allahabad, Jabalpur and Kancheepuram and are currently categorised as deemed universities.

The plan is to establish one IIIT in every state, the sources said.