The human resources development ministry has decided to set up an Indian Institute of Management in the North East mainly to cater to the students of the region.
Announcing this at a press conference in Shillong on Tuesday after a two-day long review meeting of the ministry's programmes in the region, Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh said the proposed IIM would be set up at an 'appropriate location' to be decided by the Minister of Development of North Eastern Region in consultation with the HRD ministry and the chief ministers of the North East.
The institution would be set up and operated by one of the established IIMs after which it would function in an 'independent manner' possibly within one and half years.
Asked if the fee structure of the proposed IIM would be at par with others in the country, Singh said he did not wish to 'mix up' the issue (with the present controversy) as the matter was already 'under consideration'.
Singh said the 'well-equipped' IIM would give the North East students, who otherwise would have to go outside for studies, an access to technical education and enable them to employment opportunities.
"Although it will not be exclusive for the North Eastern students, obviously it will cater to them on priority basis," Singh added.