Government Plans to Amend NIT Act

<p>After IIT, IIM rows, the human resource development ministry has sought to amend the national institute of technology (NIT) act, revealed sources from HRD Ministry.
The ministry&rsquo;s move has raised eyebrows as it had already drawn flak for its alleged interference in the functioning of such autonomous institutions.
NITs are autonomous institutions protected by an act and the ministry&rsquo;s role is limited to appointing the director and the chairperson. Beyond this, it can play only an advisory role.
But a spokesperson from the ministry has denied any attempt to amend the act. The proposals discussed in the ministry suggest the NIT act should be amended to empower the government to play arbiter in cases where internal disputes hamper the functioning of institutes, sources said.
Also being discussed is whether some criteria can be fixed for selection of the chairperson. As of now, the ministry can appoint any person of eminence as chairperson.
According to the bill, which could not be introduced in the monsoon session of Parliament, IIMs will need to take approval from the ministry for fixing their fee structure, faculty remunerations and department formation.
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