In a bid to strike a balance among different regions of the state, Odisha government today announced its decision to set up the proposed Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) at Berhampur in Ganjam district of South Odisha.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has decided to set up IISER at Berhampur, Employment and Technical Education and Training (ET&T) minister Sanjay Dasburma told reporters here.
People of southern region, particularly the residents of Ganjam district, were demanding IIM in Berhampur town while the state government preferred to build it at Sambalpur in western region. The people of Balasore and Mayurbhanj were also making demand to get the IIM in their areas.
As the IIM has been located at Sambalpur, the state government decided to establish the IISER in Berhampur, officials said.
The state government has decided to provide 200 acre of land free of cost for the proposed IISER, Dasburma said adding classes at the premier central-funded institute for basic sciences would start from the 2016-17 academic year.
The minister said the state government is looking for temporary campus in the city.
"The south Odisha city fulfils all conditions given by the central government to set up the institute. Facilities for rail, road, air connectivity are available in Berhampur," Dasburma said.
The minister said a high-level committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of chief secretary G C Pati to expedite setting up the institute.
Union Finance minister Arun Jaitley had announced establishment of IISERs in Odisha and Nagaland.
There are five IISERs under the Ministry of Human Resource Development. These are located in Bhopal, Mohali, Pune, Kolkata and Thiruvanantapuram.
