Pune: Higher and technical education minister Chandrakant Patil initiated proactive measures regarding fee waiver for girls announced by the Mahayuti govt.
He conducted an unannounced inspection at Abasaheb Garware College recently to assess the implementation of the fee waiver scheme for girls. He plans to conduct similar impromptu visits to 100 colleges throughout the state.
The state govt’s initiative to waive fees for professional and medical education aims to boost women’s participation in higher education. The scheme encompasses 842 courses with an allocated budget of Rs 2,000 crore.
The directorate of higher and technical education established a dedicated task force to address women students’ grievances and issued comprehensive guidelines for educational institutions.
During his visit to Garware College, Patil engaged directly with women students to comprehend their concerns. He said, “Financial constraints often prevent girls from pursuing higher education, necessitating the complete fee waiver for professional and medical programmes.”
He advised women students to contact their college nodal officers by March 31 to complete the documentation for availing the waiver.
Patil advocated establishing joint committees comprising students and college administration at each institution to address female students’ concerns effectively. His first surprise inspection occurred at Thadomal Shahani College in Bandra, Mumbai, in January, followed by Garware College in Pune.
Responding to students’ requests for enhanced stipends under the ‘Earn and Learn’ scheme, he assured appropriate consideration. Higher education department director Shailendra Deolankar and deputy director Prakash Bachhav accompanied the minister during the visit.
The state’s higher and technical education department launched a helpline number to resolve problems related to the tuition fee waiver scheme launched for all girls pursuing professional courses and whose family income is less than Rs 8 lakh.
Higher education minister Chandrakant Patil has appealed to all students to seek help. Students can contact 0796134440, 07969134441 and at helpdesk.maharashtracet.org





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