Eight newly-established IITs have been asked to establish their campuses by 2014. The government is also considering increasing the funds allocated for faster infrastructure development of these IITs.
Sources stated that HRD minister Kapil Sibal has asked for a meeting to be held in November with the respective state government officials, Central Government officials and IIT directors to facilitate the process of land acquisition.
The decision came after several IITs expressed difficulty in securing clearances from Central and state government departments for acquisition of the land allotted to them.
Official sources stated that Mr Sibal also assured the IIT directors that the HRD ministry would move a Cabinet note on the issue of enhanced allocation of funds for campus development after the directors drew attention to cost escalation over the years.
Meanwhile, in an effort to tide over the faculty crisis in eight newly-created IITs, the HRD ministry on Thursday approved topping up of government approved salary of teachers.
Official sources stated that the issue of providing salary that will attract good faculty was discussed at length. “It was decided with the minister’s approval that topping up of government approved salary can be done by the IITs from their own funds,” sources added.
At present, in the IITs, the HAG scale (`67,000-79,000) is applicable for 40 per cent of the professors in position. The new IITs expressed that they have been unable to implement this grade since it has been possible for them to recruit few faculty so far. The minister stated, here, that the ministry would seek requisite approval from the finance ministry and the Union Cabinet to provide for a new proviso for the new IITs to be able to implement this salary grade.
Thursday’s meeting was held to discuss issues specific to new IITs, especially with regard to the constraints they are facing in infrastructure and faculty development where all the IITs made separate presentations.