NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha passed a bill on Wednesday to enable Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) to award degrees, including M Tech and PhD, as issued by autonomous universities. The bill also gives powers to Indian Institute of Information Technology Design and Manufacturing (IIITDM) in Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh) to award degrees to students.Once the law is finally enacted, IIITDM will be the fifth centrally-funded IIIT The proposed law includes IIITDM, Kurnool, in the principal law -Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIIT) Act, 2014 -which confers the status of “Institutions of National Importance“ on the IIITs.The role the central government in appointment of chairman of the board of governors and the director to the 15 IITs has been removed.The bill was introduced by HRD minister Prakash Javadekar during the Budget session in March. Replying to a debate on the bill, Javadekar stressed that the fees for poor will not increase because of the new measure. He also said that the reservation law will apply to these institutes as elsewhere in the country .He said besides fees, research grants and projects will make up for the expenses.“There might be a slight increase for those who have the capacity to bear.But for the poor (students), there will be scholarships available,“ the minister said. Academic session has commenced in 15 such IIITs, including in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Haryana and West Bengal. The first batch of under-graduate students enrolled in 2013-14 will be pass out this year.The government had set up the IIITDM at Kurnool to give effect to its obligation under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014. Academic session had commenced there in 201516. The expenditure for its operationalisation is incurred from the plan funds of the HRD ministry .Cabinet clears new wage code billThe Union cabinet approved on Wednesday the new wage code bill which will ensure a minimum wage across all sectors by integrating four labour related laws. The proposed legislation is expected to benefit over 4 crore employees across the country .Lateral entry of experts into govtThe government is considering inducting private sector experts and professionals in central government departments through lateral entry , the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday .Union minister Jitendra Singh said the government was committed to appointing best talents, subject to rules.18,000 NGOs fail to file annual returnsMore than 18,000 NGOs did not file their annual income and expenditure statements for the five-year period between 2010-11 and 2014-15 and were recently given a month to comply , the government informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. Union minister Kiren Rijiju said more than 8,000 NGOs complied with the directions of the government.Around 6,000 defaulting ones have been served showcause notices, he said.Flexible pay to attract university faculty.The government is looking at giving flexible pay packages to faculty in the proposed 20 world-class universities to nurture talent, said HRD minister Prakash Javadekar on Wednesday . This came after Rajya Sabha deputy chairman P J Kurien pointed out that brilliant students either migrate to other countries or choose to become administrative officers due to lack of support in term of remuneration.