Odisha Gets Rs 670 Cr Under PM-USHA; Rs 100 Cr Each For 4 Varsities For MERU Upgrade

Bhubaneswar: Odisha has received Rs 676.7 crore under Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA), Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj informed on Tuesday.

The programme designed to ensure access, equity, and excellence in higher education was officially launched in Odisha in September.

“The funding pattern is 60:40 for Centre and the state. While the central government will provide Rs 408.7 crore assistance, the state share will be Rs 268 crore,” the minister said.

He further stated that the 3rd Project Approval Board meeting of the Ministry of Education has approved 38 proposals from Odisha. The funds have been granted across four components – multi-disciplinary education and research (MERU), strengthen universities and colleges  and gender inclusion and equity initiative (GIEI). It also includes Rs 6.7 crore for Management Monitoring Evaluation & Research.

Ravenshaw University, Berhampur University, Sambalpur University and Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University have been chosen for development as MERU and will receive Rs 100 crore each to elevate its infrastructure and academic capabilities to international standards.

Similarly, five varsities and 24 colleges will receive Rs 20 crore and Rs 5 crore each for strengthening infrastructure. Bhadrak, Kandhamal, Mayurbhanj, Nabarangpur and Sambalpur districts have been granted Rs 10 crore each under GIEI.

District-wise details of proposal are as follows