Parliament passes bill to set up NIT in AP

The Parliament on Monday passed a law to create a National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Andhra Pradesh with Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar assuring the Rajya Sabha that funding would not be a problem to realise the institute.

The National Institutes of Technology, Science Education and Research (Amendment) Bill, 2016 was passed by the Rajya Sabha late in the evening. The bill was cleared by the Lok Sabha on July 21.

The legislation seeks to create an NIT in the West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. With an initial funding of Rs 40 crore sanctioned in the 2016-17 budget, the institute has begun operating from a rented space with 900 students. A 140-acre area has been earmarked for the NIT.

“The detailed project report for the institute would be ready in two months. As soon it is there, the funds will be immediately released and granted. So there will be no dearth of funding, let me tell you,” Javadekar said.

Moving the bill, the minister said the purpose was to fulfil a promise made to the people of Andhra Pradesh by establishing an NIT in the state.

Most of the political parties supported the legislation, but the AIADMK opposed it.