The State Government seems to be finally initiating steps to clear the legal hurdles in setting up Xavier University, albeit after a delay of three years.
The Jesuit Society, which runs the Xavier Institute of Management - Bhubaneswar (XIMB), had proposed to convert the institute into university in 2009.
A detailed project report was sent to DHE which was approved. However, the Law Department officials spotted loopholes in the ambitious project.
In their proposal, XIMB officials had mentioned about possession of 35 acres of land near Pipli which was taken on lease from IDCO for 90 years.
The department questioned legitimacy of the lease stating that IDCO can provide land only for industrial purpose and not for educational use.
However, at a high-level meeting held recently, the State Government said
IDCO can allot land for setting up educational institutions.
Presiding over the meeting, Chief Secretary Bijay Kumar Pattnaik said as management and technical education is “incidental” to the industry, IDCO can give land for setting up of such institutions.
He added that a draft Bill will be sent to State Cabinet with approval of which, a separate bill for the varsity would be presented in the winter session of the Assembly.
Besides, the government has asked XIMB to deposit more funds to the Endowment Fund for the purpose. Earlier, the XIMB had agreed to provide Rs 3 crore to the Endowment Fund for the varsity proposal, but the government had stated that it was meagre.
XIMB Director Father PT Joseph said three years back the government had asked for Rs 5 crore for setting up the university but when requested the Chief Minister agreed to cut it down to Rs 3 crore, which was quoted in the proposal.
As far as the demand for more Endowment Fund is concerned, Father Joseph said XIMB had already given an undertaking to the government that it would create necessary fund according to the guidelines.