Chennai: Union Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal today (Jun 21, 2004) said that the Union Government did not subscribe to bringing autonomous institutions under its control.

Replying to a question whether the Government would bring in control some of the autonomous institutions, Sibal said that none of the autonomous institutions were controlled by the Government.

"It is the policy of the Government not to control autonomous institution. We believe in excellence, we believe in autonomy. I tell you this with certain amount of certainty However, this does not mean that Government will not take note of institutions that exploit common man," he said.

He was talking to reporters after inaugurating the Acoustic Testing Facility at the National Institute of Ocean Technology campus, near Chennai. Sibal, who holds independent charge of Ocean Development Department, said that his ministry was in the process of "launching world tender" for two research vessels that have been "totally indigenously designed".

"The designs for the two research vessels (for National Institute of Ocean Technology) is completed. We are in the process of launching world tender. The vessels (110 m long and 60 m long vessels) have been totally indigenously designed," he told reporters after inaugurating an Acoustic Test Facility at NIOT campus, in Pallikaranai, near Chennai.