The Andhra Chamber of Commerce and Industry Federation (ACCIF) has requested Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman to take steps for establishment of a National Institute of Design (NID) in Vijayawada at the earliest according to the government’s commitment to set up four NIDs.
In a letter addressed to the Minister on Tuesday, ACCIF president M. Murali Krishna stated that the Union Cabinet had in its meeting in February this year approved a budget of Rs. 434 crore for establishing the four NIDs (including the one in Vijayawada).
These institutes were targeted to be transformed into Centres of Excellence. The Central government is to spend Rs. 108.50 crore on each one of the NID.
The institutes were aimed at offering both under-graduate and post-graduate courses in designing required by the industry and, function under the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion of the Ministry of Commerce.
Mr. Krishna said till date no action had been initiated in setting up the institutes and for commencing the classes at least in temporary buildings.
The Minister would do well to get the proposal to progress beyond conceptual stage as early as possible keeping in view the need to make the large manpower available in the State ‘industry-ready’.
