A bill to declare the Bangalore-based Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences as an institution of national importance was introduced in the Rajya Sabha today. The bill, introduced by the Health and Family Welfare Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, empowers the Institute with academic autonomy to develop its own curriculum. It also empowers to set new trends in mental health and neuro-sciences. The conferring of statutory status on the Institute will enable it to grow into a model centre of excellence.