2.4 lakh students in drought-hit talukas file exam forms without paying fees

The Higher and Technical Education Department has taken a key decision so that students in drought-hit talukas do not have to stop studying for lack of money. The decision is being implemented, and so far 2,40,365 students have filled in their exam forms through a 'zero challan' facility without paying a single rupee of exam fee. Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil gave the details.

According to Patil, the government has decided not to collect exam fees from students of drought-hit talukas, so that financial difficulties do not hinder their studies. To ensure the decision is implemented properly and eligible students get the benefit of the waiver, the necessary arrangements have been put in place at the levels of the directorate, the universities and the examination department. The department is also reviewing the entire process continuously.

So that students do not have to pay a fee while filling in the form, a 'zero challan' option has been provided in the application process. This allows eligible students to submit their forms without paying any exam fee. All universities have also issued circulars on implementing the fee waiver.

A process to refund the fees has also begun for students who had already paid the exam fee. Minister Patil has given clear instructions to all universities so that no eligible student from a drought-hit area is left out of the waiver and none faces difficulty in availing it.

The department has appealed to students who face any study-related problem with the fee waiver or the form to contact the board of examinations and evaluation of their university, its public relations officer or its student development department. The contact officers' numbers, university-wise, are given below.

University of Mumbai, Mumbai: Dr Pooja Raundale (Director, Board of Examinations and Evaluation) can be reached on 9322020589, and Liladhar Bansod (public relations officer) on 9833969977.

Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune: Dr Rajendra Talwar (Director, Board of Examinations and Evaluation) can be reached on 9890642431. Dr Savita Kulkarni (Director, Student Development) can be reached on 7720036774, and Ajay Thube on 7588169134.

Shivaji University, Kolhapur: Dr Ajitsingh N. Jadhav (Director, Board of Examinations and Evaluation) can be reached on 9545595999, while Alok Jatratkar (Director, Student Development) can be reached on 8698928080.

Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Solapur University, Solapur: Dr Andhare (Director, Board of Examinations and Evaluation) can be reached on 9975055155, and Dr Kalvane (Director, Student Development) on 7020634502.