Govt hints at ordinance upgrading stature of IIIT, Kancheepuram

Updated on: Tuesday, September 13, 2011

With Parliament failing to pass a bill on upgrading the stature of IIIT, D&M Kancheepuram in the monsoon session, the government indicated an ordinance could be brought in as the fate of hundreds of the institute's students hangs in balance.

"I have not spoken to the HRD Minister or to the HRD Ministry, but I think an ordinance could be brought," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal told reporters in reply to a question.

The passage of the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing, Kancheepuram Bill, 2011 would have upgraded the IIIT, Kancheepuram to an institute of national importance and facilitated award of degrees on time.

The government had brought an ordinance on June 20 to declare it an institute of national importance as Parliament was not in session. The Bill, which seeks to replace the ordinance, was passed by Lok Sabha on August 25.

The government, however, faced an embarrassment yesterday as it could not pass the Bill in Rajya Sabha after Congress MP
J D Seelam demanded reservation for SC/ST and OBC students in the institute.

This prompted the BSP, RJD and LJP along with the Left parties to seek proper discussion on the Bill.

Sources said HRD Minister Kapil Sibal had reached out to various political parties after it failed to pass the Bill.

The institute, set up in January, 2007, has been imparting inter-disciplinary academic and research programme that integrates engineering design, manufacturing and management in IT.

Govt hints at ordinance upgrading stature of IIIT, Kancheepuram

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