Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday approved a 'green passage scheme' to provide higher education to orphan students free of charge.Under the scheme, the state government would bear the cost of the admission fee, tuition fees and laboratory fees incurred by orphan students pursuing education from 'plus 2' (class 11 and 12) to doctoral degree level, said a statement from Patnaik's office. They will also be provided free accommodation and food in hostels.All government, private and government-aided colleges and universities will participate in the scheme. The state currently has 16,382 orphan students housed in 272 institutions.