Stern Action Against Colleges Violating Fee Waiver for Low-Income Female Students, Chandrakant Patil
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In response to mounting complaints from students, Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil has announced stringent measures against colleges and universities that charge education and examination fees to female students from families with an annual income of less than 8 lakh. This action aligns with the state’s policy of a 100% waiver for these students, previously declared by the government.
During a meeting held at Mantralaya, Patil emphasized the importance of adhering to this directive. He stated, “Among the students admitted through the centralised admission process (CAP), excluding management quota and institutional-level admissions, girls whose family income is less than 8 lakh per annum should not be charged education and examination fees.” This mandate applies to government colleges, government-aided non-government colleges, partially aided (phase grant) and permanent unaided colleges, technical colleges, public universities, government-recognized universities (excluding private recognized universities and self-funded universities), and sub-centres under public universities with recognized professional courses.
The meeting was attended by several key officials, including Vikas Chandra Rastogi, Principal Secretary of the Higher Education Department; Dr. Vinod Mohitkar, Director of Technical Education; Shailendra Devlankar, Director of Higher Education; Ashok Mande, Deputy Secretary; and other senior officials.
Patil reiterated that strict actions would be enforced against any institution violating this policy. “We will carry out random checks at universities and educational institutions across the state to ensure compliance,” stated a senior education official, who requested anonymity. “If any institution is found charging fees in contradiction to the state government’s rule, it will face consequences.”
This decisive move by the state aims to ensure that female students from financially weaker sections are not deprived of their right to free education, thereby promoting educational equity and empowerment.
