Patna, April 5: Bihar would soon have a regional institute of e-learning and information technology in place. The DOEACC Society in Patna would set up the institution. The state cabinet gave approval to a proposal in this regard today.

The state government would provide 15 acre land for setting up this institution and a fund of Rs 5.84 crore would be given by the state government for procurement of the land. Construction cost of the building and other recurring expenses, however, would be borne by the DOEACC Society.

The functioning of the institution, however, would not be delayed due to time taken in procurement of land and constructing the building, as the state government has decided to provide 8,000 sqft area at the 9th floor of the Biscomaun building.

The state cabinet also gave administrative sanction for payment of rent of the said area for a period of four years. The amount sanctioned under this head is Rs. 1.53 crore.

“The space in Biscomaun building would be hired for four years as it has been presumed that procurement of land and subsequent construction of the building would take around three-and-a-half year time,” principal secretary of cabinet coordination department Ravikant said.

Though he did not share the details about when the institute would start functioning but he said that it would start offering courses soon.

Other major decisions taken in Tuesday’s cabinet meet pertains to giving permission to Calcutta-based India Power Corporation Limited for setting up 1,320MW (2x 660MW) thermal power plant at Sangrampur in East Champaran.

The cabinet also approved purchase of new vehicles for all the 30 ministers.

Each of the minister would get one air-conditioned Ambassador and one Scorpio. A sum of Rs 5.25 crore would be spent for the purpose.

Total 15 decisions were taken in today’s cabinet meet.