<span style="color: #222222;">The Rajya Sabha has passed the National Institute of Design (Amendment) Bill, 2019 which seeks to declare four National Institutes of Design in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, and Haryana as institutions of national importance. <br />''<br />''Currently, these institutes are registered as Societies under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and do not have the power to grant degrees or diplomas. <br />''<br />''On being declared institutions of national importance, the four institutes will be granted the power to grant degrees and diplomas. <br />''<br />''Replying to the debate on the bill, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that these institutions will impart skills in the field of design to the students. He said, he will also take steps to improve faculties.<br />''<br />''Initiating the discussion, Jairam Ramesh of Congress demanded the development of faculties in these institutions. He said, currently, there is about 30 to 40 percent shortage in IITs so there is a need to focus on this issue. <br />''<br />''Members from other political parties also took part in the discussion.</span><br />