OBC & EWS girls’ higher education fee to be reimbursed in Maharashtra

MUMBAI: To improve the enrolment of girls in vocational education, the state govt has decided to provide 100% reimbursement of tuition and examination fees to girls from other backwards classes and economically weaker sections (EWS) with an annual family income of up to Rs 8 lakh. The plan will be effective from the 2024-25 academic year.
In the state budget announced on Friday, govt decided to set aside Rs 2,000 crore every year for the scheme, which aims to benefit over 2 lakh girls who enrol in professional courses such as medicine, engineering, architecture, pharmacy and agriculture.The benefit will be extended to both diploma and degree students in these domains. Higher and technical education minister Chandrakant Patil said the decision to set aside a substantial financial provision will give wings to the aspirations of many girls in the state. The state already has Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Shikshan Shulk Shishyavruti Yojana to provide financial assistance to students belonging to the EWS category.
In the state, Rs 98,438 crore has been set aside for education, sports, and arts and culture. It is about 14.7% of the total outlay, just a marginal drop from last year’s 14.8%. The budget lays significant emphasis to skill development education and creation of employment. A fund of Rs 100 crore has been earmarked for financial assistance to self-employment schemes. A scholarship scheme for foreign education for this academic year has also been introduced for students from minority communities.
CM Eknath Shinde said at a press conference later that the 100% reimbursement decision had been prompted by the suicide of a young girl whose parents could not pay half the tuition fees even after govt bore the other half.