Parliament passes IIIT (Amendment) Bill, 2017

Parliament has passed the Indian Institutes of Information Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2017 after the Rajya Sabha approved it. The Lok Sabha has already passed it. The Bill amends the IIIT Act, 2014.
The IIIT Act, 2014 declares certain Institutes of Technology as institutions of national importance. It aims to develop new knowledge in information technology and provide manpower of global standards for the information technology industry.

 Key Features of the Bill

Appointment of Director: The Bill modifies the composition of the search-cum-selection committee which recommends names to the central government for the appointment of the Director of an IIIT. Further, it replaces the Director of an IIIT with the Director of an Indian Institute of Technology.
Appointment of Assistant Professor and other above posts:  The Bill permits the Board of Governor of Institutes to appoint Assistant Professors and all the posts above that level as well.
Incorporation of an institute:  It declares the Indian Institute of Technology, Design and Manufacturing (ITDM), Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh as an institution of national importance. Further it adds ITDM, Kurnool to the Schedule of the parent Act which consists of other institutions of national importance.

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2017