No exam fee for students in drought-hit areas of Maharashtra, Chandrakant Patil directs universities
Colleges under the higher and technical education department must not charge exam fees in drought-affected areas, and fees already collected must be refunded at once.
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The Higher and Technical Education department has decided to give relief to students in drought-affected areas of Maharashtra. Students in these areas will no longer be charged examination fees.
Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil gave the directions. An online meeting with the vice-chancellors of all public universities in the state was held under his chairmanship at the Sahyadri guest house in Mumbai, and the matter was raised there.
Besides examination fees for students in drought-affected areas, the meeting also discussed measures to prevent paper leaks, uniformity in results, academic timetables, implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) and student elections.
Patil said all colleges under the Higher and Technical Education department should not charge examination fees to students. This includes engineering, arts and other colleges.
Students from whom examination fees have already been collected must be refunded the amount immediately. Vice-chancellors and officials have been told to ensure that students in drought-affected areas get the full benefit of the decision. Universities and colleges have been asked to follow the directions strictly. Strict action will be taken against colleges that collect fees.
Between December 15 and January 15, Patil will visit various universities in the state. During this period he will review academic and administrative arrangements, facilities available to students and the condition of hostels. One day will be devoted to reviewing the functioning of the university.
The minister will then stay overnight in a hostel with students and inspect accommodation, food, cleanliness, drinking water and other basic facilities.
The meeting also discussed that the process of student elections in the state's universities be taken forward after Diwali. Officials were directed to deliberate and suggest how student elections can be held in universities, and to submit a final report on it.
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