In the presence of a large gathering of dignitaries and local citizens, Union Minister of State for External Affairs & Information & Broadcasting Anand Sharma laid the foundation stone of the state’s first Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) at Mandi. The town of Mandi is known for its temples.

While speaking on this occasion, Anand Sharma said, “The central government last year decided to increase the number of IITs in the country to 15 from the existing seven. Six (IITs) started functioning last year and this (IIT-Mandi) and IIT-Indore would start admission process from this year.”

Sharma sang praise of the UPA government, and went on to add agenda of the HRD Ministry involving Rs 85,000 crore for establishing more IITs, IIITs, IIMs and polytechnics in the country to make India a global power.

However, the Union Minister also thanked the Himachal government for providing 530 acres for establishing the institute.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal presided over the foundation stone laying ceremony.

Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal said, “The government will provide all facilities to start an IIT at a temporary location in Mandi town till necessary infrastructure has been created here.”

The premier institute would start its academic functioning from July 2009 and nearly 120 students would be admitted in its first batch.

Professor S. C. Saxena, Director, IIT Roorkee will also look after the IIT Mandi.

It can be here recalled that the decision to establish an IIT in the State was announced at a really in Shimla on October 2, 2007 by then finance minister P. Chidambaram.