NIT upgrade Bill ready for House

The proposed legislation is expected to help NITs 8212; there are 17 in all 8212; to become 8220;centres of excellence8221;, especially in terms of post-graduate technical education and research. The Bill will also provide academic, administrative and financial autonomy to these institutes, similar to the seven IITs in the country.

The parliamentary panel, headed by Congress8217; Janardan Dwivedi, had proposed that all NITs be brought under the Institutes of Technology Act which governs all IITs but the HRD ministry had replied that there were differences between the two categories of technical institutes 8212; while IITs had a specialised high-level entrance exam, NITs have a region or state-specific focus. The panel, in its report, concluded: 8220;It believes that the NITs will develop and grow faster separately than with the IITs.8221; The panel, in its report, has also suggested a bigger role for the state governments in the functioning of the NITs.

HRD officials said the Bill was being given final touches and the ministry would carry out the amendments before it reintroduced the bill in the Winter Session.