Bhubaneswar, Sep 2 (IANS): To bring all universities under one Act, the Odisha Cabinet on Wednesday approved the promulgation of the 'Odisha Universities (Amendment) Ordinance 2020'.

It approved the proposal of the Higher Education Department to promulgate the ordinance to amend the Odisha Universities Act, 1989 and repeal the Ravenshaw University Act, 2005.

Chief secretary Asit Kumar Tripathy said the Cabinet has decided to repeal the Ravenshaw University Act, 2005 to bring all universities under one Act

Ravenshaw University will now come under the purview of the Odisha Universities Act, 1989 and continue to function as usual, he added.

The Cabinet also approved several amendments to the Odisha Universities Act.

The tenure of Vice Chancellors has been enhanced from three years to four years so that they can make some long-term contribution to the universities.

Besides, the upper age limit to hold the post of Vice Chancellor is enhanced from 65 to 67 years. However, no Vice Chancellor shall be re-appointed on the same position at the same university for a second time.

The government also abolished the Senate, which was the highest authority of a university.

Now, Syndicate will function as the highest authority of a university. Constitution of the Syndicate will be restructured to make it more functional and professional, said the chief secretary.

Recruitment of teachers in the universities shall be done centrally by Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) and non-teaching employees by State Selection Board, said Tripathy.

Earlier, the Heritage Cabinet committee adopted a resolution to request the Centre to accord classical status to Odissi music.

Culture Minister Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi informed that it is different from other forms of classical music.

Odissi was recognised by the Centre as a classical dance in 1964. Odisha has recognised Odissi as a classical form of music in 2008.

The Heritage Cabinet gave its approval to a proposal for the formation of separate and autonomous Directorates for Odisha State Archaeology and Odisha State Museum.

The minister said that the amounts for the Atibadi Jagannath Das Samman, Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja Samman, Dharmapada Samman, and Byasakabi Fakir Mohan Samman would be increased from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.

Similarly, the amounts for awards to the various academies shall be increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh and the amount of felicitations of various academies shall be increased to Rs 1 lakh, he added.