New Delhi, Oct 20 (IANS) The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore was Wednesday announced as an institute of national importance by the union cabinet, an official statement said here.

"The union cabinet today approved the proposal of the ministry of health and family welfare to declare National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore as an institute of national importance," the statement said.

A legislation in this regard will be brought to the parliament as the cabinet also approved introduction of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences Bangalore Bill, 2009.

"This will facilitate NIMHANS to develop patterns of teaching, with the flexibility to device new courses, constantly evolving syllabi. The Institute will be able to take up new courses that are required and are not currently part of the MCI approved courses," the statement said.

The status puts the institute on the same level with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh and Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry.