The lok Sabha on Monday passed the Amendment Bill to provide for opening of six new IITs, including in Jammu and Tirupati. Under the Institutes of Technology (Amendment) Bill 2016, new IITs will also be started in Palakkad, Goa, Dharward and Bhilai. The Bill also seeks to bring the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, within the ambit of the Act.
Replying to a debate on the Bill, HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said the Government has formed High Education Financial Agency (HEFA) to upgrade the infrastructure. The Government’s credo is “Sabko Shiksha Achchhi Shiksa (Good Education to All)” and has taken a number of efforts in this regards, he said.
On the fee structure, he said students from the ST and SC communities, from the Below Poverty line (BPl) category and physically challenged have full waiver of fees in the IITs and NITs. He said those whose family income is below `9 lakh per annum also get zero per cent education loan.
“Education must be inclusive. But those capable of paying must pay. You should not oppose when rich are being asked to pay…Funding is one of the reason why students go abroad. Foreign universities fund projects. Under this scheme funding is available and there is no need to go abroad because of funding,” Javadekar said.
Gaurav Gogoi (Congress) supported the Bill on behalf of his party and India should work to reclaim its earlier status of “inspiring” the world in the field of knowledge, mentioning ancient universities of Taxila and Nalanda.
He opposed the hike in the fee at the institutes and Deputy Speaker Thambi Durai, who was in the Chair, also seemed to be supporting at he drew Javadekar’s attention to this also the need for counselling for students, some of whom under pressure take extreme steps, including committing suicide. Saugata Roy (TMC) supported the Bill but vehemently opposed the fee hike. Arvind Sawant (Shiv Sena) and RK Jena (BJD) also supported the Bill.