Exam fees waived for students in drought-hit talukas; 2.40 lakh file forms under zero challan

The Higher and Technical Education Department has decided to waive examination fees for students in drought-affected talukas so that a shortage of money does not interrupt their studies. Implementation is under way at speed. Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil said that so far 2,40,365 students have submitted their examination forms through the "zero challan" facility without paying a single rupee of exam fees.

According to Patil, the government has decided that no examination fee will be charged from students in these talukas. To ensure the decision is implemented properly and eligible students benefit, necessary arrangements have been made at the level of the directorate, the universities and the examination department. The department is also reviewing the matter continuously.

A "zero challan" option has been provided in the application process so that students do not have to pay a fee while filling the form. As a result, eligible students are able to submit forms without paying any fee. All universities have also issued circulars on implementing the fee waiver.

The process of refunding fees has also begun for students who had already paid their examination fees. Patil has given clear instructions to all universities that no eligible student from a drought-affected area should miss out on the waiver, and that students should face no difficulty in availing of the facility.

The department has appealed to any student facing an academic problem related to the fee waiver to contact the board of examination and evaluation, the public relations officer or the student development department of their university.

The contact officers, university-wise, are as follows. At the University of Mumbai, Mumbai, the director of the Board of Examination and Evaluation is Dr Pooja Raundale (9322020589) and the public relations officer is Liladhar Bansod (9833969977). At Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, the director of the Board of Examination and Evaluation is Dr Rajendra Talware (9890642431), and the student development director is Dr Savita Kulkarni (7720036774) and Ajay Thube (7588169134). At Shivaji University, Kolhapur, they are Dr Ajitsingh N. Jadhav (9545595999) and student development director Alok Jatratkar (8698928080).

At Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Solapur University, Solapur, they are Dr Andhare (9975055155) and student development director Dr Kalwane (7020634502). At Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded, they are Dr Husharsingh Sabale (9923409491) and Dr Chikhlikar (8390666777). At Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, they are Dr Babasaheb Dole (8237006572) and Dr Kailas Ambhore (9423705081).

At Kavayitri Bahinabai Chaudhari North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon, they are Dr Yogesh Patil (9423185073) and student development director Mahale (9823192831). At Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati, they are Dr Nitin Koli (9850042357) and Dr Rajiv Borkar (8855083964). At Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur, the director of the Board of Examination and Evaluation is Dr Anup Palsokar (8378974240) and the student development director is Dr Vijay Tangde (9545112555).

At Gondwana University, Gadchiroli, they are Dr Naveen Mangule (9511910575) and Dr Priya Gedam (9049474119). At SNDT Women's University, Mumbai, they are Sanjay Nerkar (9922444467) and Dr Ankush Chavan (9689672509). At Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University, Nashik, they are Dr Bhatuprasad Patil (7798925485) and student development director Mahendra Bansode (9766059076).