Maharashtra colleges to face action for denying admission to girl students under fee waiver scheme

Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil on Friday warned that strict action will be taken against colleges that deny admission to eligible girl students under the state governmentrsquos tuition fee waiver scheme reported news agency PTISpeaking during the Question Hour in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Patil said the government will not hesitate to cancel the affiliation of institutions that refuse admission to girls on the grounds of tuition feesFee waiver scheme aimed at boosting womenrsquos educationPatil described the decision taken two years ago to waive tuition fees for girls pursuing professional courses as a ldquorevolutionary steprdquo intended to increase womenrsquos participation in higher educationAccording to the minister the initiative has already led to a significant rise in enrolment of girl students in professional colleges across the stateldquoThe number of girl students has increased from 85068 in the 2023ndash24 academic year to 115800 registering a rise of about 41 per centrdquo he said reported PTIThe government expects the trend to continue as awareness of the scheme grows among students and familiesColleges warned against demanding advance feesThe minister also addressed complaints that some colleges were asking students to first pay the tuition fees and later seek reimbursement once the government releases scholarship funds reported PTIPatil clarified that such practices are not acceptable and violate the intent of the schemeTo ensure proper implementation the government has made it mandatory for every college to appoint a nodal officer responsible for monitoring the execution of the fee waiver programmeldquoIf any college refuses admission to eligible girl students on the grounds of fees we will initiate action including cancellation of affiliationrdquo Patil said reported PTIScholarship application process being simplifiedThe minister also informed the House that the state government is working to simplify the scholarship application process through the MahaDBT PortalHe said the number of documents required for scholarship applications has been reduced from 17 to eight and further steps are being taken to streamline the verification processThe government is also prioritising timely disbursal of scholarship funds and reimbursements to educational institutionsldquoScholarships will be treated with priority similar to salary payments so that students do not face difficultiesrdquo Patil said reported PTIFinancial assistance for hostel and campus workPatil also noted that students who are unable to secure hostel accommodation are eligible for a monthly allowance of up to Rs 6000 to support their living expensesAdditionally the government is considering expanding the ldquoearn and learnrdquo initiative which allows students to work in college libraries laboratories or other campus activities while pursuing their studiesUnder this programme students receive a stipend of around Rs 2000 per monthFacilitation centres to assist studentsThe minister said the state government is planning to establish around 40 facilitation centres across Maharashtra to help students complete scholarship applications and resolve issues related to the process reported PTIHe also urged legislators to inform the government if any educational institution is found violating the fee waiver scheme so that immediate action can be takenWith inputs from PTI