Pune: Chandrakant Patil Intensifies Efforts for Girls’ Fee Waiver, Plans Surprise Visits to 100 Colleges

Pune, 14th February 2025: In a determined push to ensure the successful implementation of the state government’s fee waiver scheme for girls, Maharashtra’s Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakantdada Patil has shifted into action mode. In a surprise visit to Garware College in Pune today, he assessed the execution of the fee waiver policy and engaged directly with students to understand their challenges. He also announced his intention to conduct unannounced visits to 100 colleges across the state to monitor the scheme’s progress.

With an aim to boost female participation in higher education, the Mahayuti government had introduced a fee waiver policy covering professional and medical courses for girls. To support this initiative, a budgetary provision of Rs 2,000 crores was allocated for 842 courses. The government also issued guidelines to educational institutions to streamline the implementation process and remove potential obstacles. Additionally, a flying squad under the Directorate of Higher and Technical Education has been set up to address students’ grievances regarding the scheme.

Taking a proactive approach, Minister Patil has personally begun reviewing the impact of the decision. During his visit to Garware College, he interacted with students and inquired about their experiences and difficulties regarding the fee waiver scheme. Speaking on the occasion, he emphasized the significance of financial support for female students, stating, “Many girls are forced to drop out due to financial constraints. Our government is committed to increasing female enrolment in higher education by waiving fees for professional and medical courses.”

He urged eligible students to contact nodal officers in their respective colleges before March 31 to complete the necessary documentation and avail the benefits of the scheme. Further, he suggested forming joint committees of students and college administrators to address concerns and ensure smooth implementation.

Meanwhile, Patil announced that his statewide review of 100 colleges has officially commenced, with Garware College being the second stop after Thadomal Shahani College in Bandra, Mumbai. He also acknowledged students’ requests to increase the allowance for those enrolled under the ‘Earn and Learn’ program, assuring them that efforts would be made to address their demands.

Accompanying him during the review were Higher Education Department Director Shailendra Devlankar and Joint Director Prakash Bachhav, who provided insights into the program’s current status and challenges.