Bhubaneswar, Sept. 11: The state government, which had promised to keep politics out of higher education, today passed a bill in the Assembly that seeks to improve functioning of universities and colleges even as it allows the state more control of their internal administration.

The government today passed a new legislation in the House for setting up a council for higher education in the state. Under this bill, the government would form the Odisha State Higher Education Council to improve the standard of higher education in the state.

Higher education minister Ananta Das placed the bill in the Assembly, which got its nod instantly.

The higher education minister will head the council, while the vice-chairperson will be headed by a person not below the rank of a professor.

The council will consist of 15 members. Out of them, three shall be vice-chancellors of various universities of the state and two principals of autonomous colleges - all five to be nominated by the government, one nominee of the Centre and two eminent scientists or experts in social science.

Besides, the state government will nominate seven more persons, who have special knowledge in the filed of arts, science and technology, culture, civil society or industry and are persons of eminence, ability and integrity.

The member secretary will do all the official works. The selection of the member secretary and the vice-chairperson will be done through a search committee to be appointed by the state government.

The objective of the legislative measure is to provide for the determination, co-ordination, maintenance, standards and promotion of higher education and research, including university and college education at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the state.

'It will also promote the autonomy of higher educational institutions for the free pursuit of knowledge and innovation. Besides, it will work to facilitate access, inclusion and opportunities to all and provide for an advisory mechanism of eminent peers in academia,' Das said.

The higher education minister further said: 'The council will also play a central role in the delivery of the Rashtriya Uchchatar Siksha Abhiyan vision to attain higher level of access, equity and excellence in the state higher education system with greater efficiency, transparency, accountability and responsiveness.'

'That's why it was considered expedient to establish such council in Odisha. It will also play a key role in getting central funds under of the Rashtriya Uchchatar Siksha Abhiyan,' said the minister.