Textiles minister Piyush Goyal pitches for freeze in fee hikes at NIFT

Union Textiles Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said he is all for a freeze in fee hikes at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT).

Speaking at the convocation of NIFT Mumbai at the Kharghar node, Goyal said the entire admission process also needs to be "replanned" in such a way that students enter on merit and are not asked about their fee-paying ability.

Those who cannot afford the education will get scholarships which will also be increased, he said.

"I have asked the governing council to consider a freeze for some time on your fees," he said, addressing the graduating students at the campus here,"

However, it was not clear if the proposal is only for the Mumbai campus or all the 18 campuses of the institute.

As per the NIFT website, non-NRI students pay about Rs 3 lakh as fee for the two semesters in an academic year.

Goyal said the 35-year-old institution also requires a facelift and promised to hold a call with architect Hafeez Contractor to give the 10-acre cam