Odisha may get a world class university as per the planning of the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development. The HRD Ministry in consultation with University Grants Commission (UGC) is formulating an enabling regulatory architecture for 10 public and private higher educational institutions to emerge as world class institutions. Responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha of BJD member Narendra Swain, Union HRD Minister Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey said this.
He informed that public comments have been invited on the draft guidelines and regulations and the inputs received are under consideration.
Similarly, on another question by Swain pertaining to deputation of more IPS officers to Odisha, Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju replied that in order to allocate adequate number of IPS officers, the batch-size of IPS (direct recruitment) has been increased from 88 to 103 from Civil Service Examination (CSE)-2005, to 130 from CSE-2008 and to 150 from CSE-2009.
He stated that the vacancies under promotion quota in the State Governments are filled up as per the Indian Police Service (Appointment by Promotion) Regulations, 1955. As of now, 57 IPS posts of promotion quota are vacant in Odisha due to non-availability of suitable officers at Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) level, Rijiju stated.
On another query by Swain on inclusion of Dhauli-Ratnagiri-lalitgiri-Udayagiri-langudi in Buddhist circuit of Odisha in the list of Buddhist circuits announced by the Union Tourism Ministry under Swadesh Darshan Scheme, Minister Dr Mahesh Sharma said that all places associated with the heritage of Buddha in the country including in Odisha are covered under Buddhist Circuit Theme of Swadesh Darshan Scheme. Union Women and Child Development Krishna Raj while replying to another question by Swain clarified that the Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana will be expanded in all the districts of the country, including Odisha, in phased manner. As per the scheme, the beneficiaries would avail maternity benefits.