Pune: More than 2.4 lakh students across 26 state universities have been allowed to submit examination forms without paying fees under the Maharashtra govt’s drought-relief measures. The number of beneficiaries is expected to exceed five lakh by the Oct 30 deadline for submitting examination forms. The higher and technical education department has also initiated refunds for students who have already paid the fees.
The department has directed universities not to collect exam fees from eligible students in the 305 drought-affected talukas declared by state govt. The state relief and rehabilitation department issued a govt resolution (GR) on Sept 25, increasing the number of drought-affected talukas from 265 to 305. The University of Mumbai has initiated the process of refunding approximately Rs 3.5 crore collected as exam fees from eligible students, according to the department.
Because of the drought, “No student’s education should be disrupted.
The process is still under way, and not a single student will be left out,” said higher and technical education minister Chandrakant Patil. The govt stands firmly behind students by waiving their examination fees. The department took an immediate decision to ensure that students from drought-affected families do not face a financial burden. Following this, the higher and technical education department directed universities to waive examination fees for eligible students in these talukas.