(a) the name of places in the country in which Indian Institutes of Mass Communication (IIMC) are located;
(b) Whether the Government have any proposal to set up new campuses of IIMC in various parts of the country including Karnataka;
(c) If so, the details thereof and the time by which the new campuses are likely to be set up;
(d) Whether the Government is contemplating to grant the status of Institutes of National Importance to IIMC; and
(e) If so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (COL. RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.))
(a): The Indian Institute of Mass Communication is located at New Delhi, with its Regional Centres at Dhenkanal (Odisha), Amravati (Maharashtra), Aizawl (Mizoram), Jammu (J&K) and Kottayam (Kerala).
(b) & (c): In addition to the existing two centres at New Delhi and Dhenkanal, four new Regional Centres of IIMC have already been established at Amravati (Maharashtra), Aizawl (Mizoram), Jammu (J&K) and Kottayam (Kerala). The Centres at Amravati and Aizawl became operational from the academic session 2011-12 whereas the Centres at Jammu and Kottayam have become operational from the academic session 2012-13 with PG Diploma courses being offered in English Journalism. These Centres are functioning at temporary premises provided by the respective State Governments, free of cost. Under the 12th Five Year Plan, construction of permanent campuses of these four centres has been envisaged on the land to be provided by the respective State Governments, free of cost. The state Governments of Mizoram and Kerala have handed over the identified land to IIMC and construction activities have commenced. Recently, the State Governments of J&K and Maharashtra have also communicated about making Government land available at Jammu and Amravati respectively. There is no other proposal at present to establish any other centre of IIMC.
(d) & (e): The Government proposes to grant the status of ‘An Institution of National Importance’ to the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) through an Act of Parliament. For the purpose, the final draft of the Bill viz.’ “The Indian Institute of Mass Communication Bill, 2015” for soliciting the approval of the Cabinet for introduction of the Bill in Parliament has also been prepared. However, Ministry of HRD is examining the proposal to include all such institutes proposed to be declared as “Institutions of National Importance” by various Ministries/Departments under the existing Central Universities Act, 2009. Further action to accord the status of “Institution of National Importance” depends upon the comments/advise of Ministry of HRD.