Assembly Elections

In a significant move ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, the Maharashtra government announced on Monday that higher education for girls from the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBC), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) will be made free. According to officials, this initiative is part of a broader women-focused policy. The decision, which also includes waiving tuition and examination fees for orphaned students regardless of gender, was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The policy change was formalized through a government resolution (GR). Rs 906 Crore Aid for Female Students The decision will be implemented from the academic year 2024-25 and is expected to cost Rs 906 crore. A GR stated that female students seeking admission to recognized vocational courses through the Centralised Admission Process in government colleges, aided private colleges, semi-aided private colleges, non-aided colleges, polytechnic, and autonomous government universities, and open universities can avail the facility. Wide Range of Courses Covered, Specific Eligibility Criteria Outlined These include courses run by departments such as higher and technical education, medicine, pharmacy, agriculture, animal husbandry, pisciculture, and dairy development. However, students from private autonomous universities/self-funded universities, and those enrolling through management and institutional quotas will not be eligible for the scheme. The GR said female students whose annual family income is Rs 8 lakh or less and who are from EWS, SEBC, and OBC are eligible for the fee waiver. New admissions as well as students currently pursuing their degrees will also be eligible for the scheme. Opposition Questions Funding for New Schemes In the state budget, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced several initiatives including Mukhyamantri Annapoorna Yojana (aimed at giving three free cylinders to women), Mukhyamantri Yuva Karyaprashikshan Yojana, Mukhyamantri Krishi Pump Yojana, Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana (eligible women in the age group 21 to 60 years will get a monthly allowance of Rs 1,500), and a scheme to provide free education to women. The opposition has questioned the source of funding for these schemes and claimed they are aimed to woo women voters ahead of the state assembly polls. However, Chief Minister Shinde has stressed that monetary provisions have been made for the schemes and the initiatives will be permanent.