NEW DELHI: The
Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed the
National Institute of Design (Amendment) Bill, 2019 which declares the four National Institutes of Design (NID) in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, and Haryana as institutions of national importance.
Currently, these institutes are registered as Societies under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and do not have the power to grant degrees or diplomas. On being declared institutions of national importance, they will be able to grant degrees and diplomas.
Moreover, this will help them become socially inclusive and address the needs of design in various sectors including agriculture, health care, and transportation.
Commerce and Industry Minister
Piyush Goyal replied to the debate on the bill saying that these institutions will impart skills in the field of design to the students.
Emphasising on the development of faculty in these institutions, Congress leader
Jairam Ramesh said that currently there is about 30-40% shortage of faculty.