Odisha Legislative Assembly passed the proposed Xavier University Bill 2013 yesterday. This is for the first time a private university will provide reservation to Odia students.

Higher Education minister Badrinarayan Patra said that the university will start functioning near Pipili in Puri district within two years.

According to the provision in the proposed bill, 50 per cent seats will be reserved for Odia students in the university. Hence, hundreds of students will be able get higher education at a high-class university.

The university will provide higher education in engineering, technology, social management, law, natural science and vocational education, banking and financial services.

The bill was criticised by opposition Congress. They see no reason to encourage a private university in the state.