Regarding the proposal from IIT Kharagpur, she said the expansion would entail huge monetary commitment and it had been decided by the government that it should instead “consolidate” the other IITs. “We haven’t accepted the proposal of IIT Kharagpur,” the Minister said.

As she proceeded to read out a list of educational institutions in the state that were receiving Central assistance—it was in answer to criticism that the state was being discriminated against—the NDA members began protesting, claiming the assistance was paltry. At this BJP leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra rose to say, “There has been injustice against Orissa,” and led the NDA camp in a walkout.

House discusses Right to Education Bill

NEW DELHI: The Right to Education Bill, if passed in Parliament, will ensure free education to all Government school students in the age group of six to 14 years. The same would apply for schools that are fully funded by the Government, Minister of State for Human Resource Development, M A A Fatmi, told the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. Fatmi was informing the House about the draft provisions of the Bill, which are still being finalised.

Schools that are aided by the Government, but not fully funded, will have to provide free education to students directly proportion to the aid received. For example, if a school receives 50 per cent of its total annual expenditure as aid from the Government, it will have to provide free education for 50 per cent of the students in the 6-14 age group.