Bhubaneswar, Aug 1 (IANS): The Odisha government will set up the proposed Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) at Berhampur in Ganjam district, Sanjay Dasburma, the Employment and Technical Education and Training (ET&T) minister, said on Saturday.

Dasburma said classes at premier central-funded institute for basic sciences would start from the 2016-17 academic year.

The government would provide 200 acres of government land free of cost near Berhampur city to set up IISER while it is looking for temporary campus in the city.

"The south Odisha city fulfils every criterion given by the central government to set up the institute. The infrastructure facilities for rail and road connectivity besides air connectivity are available there."

The minister said a high-level committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of chief secretary G.C. Pati to expedite setting up the institute.

In his budget speech this year, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had announced to establish an IISER in Odisha besides one in Nagaland.

Leaders across all the parties welcomed the decision of the government to set up the premier institute at Berhampur.

Former union minister and senior Congress leader Chandrasekhar Sahu said: "Earlier we had demanded for IIT and IIM. But, it never materialized. We are happy with this institute."

BJD MLA from Berhampur Ramesh Chandra Chyau Patnaik also welcomed the government's decision.

Presently, there are five IISERs run by the Ministry of Human Resource Development. These are located in Bhopal, Mohali, Pune, Kolkata and Thiruvanantapuram.