Officials assure action after complaint, as questions arise over implementation of state fee waiver scheme meant to support needy girl students across Maharashtra
MUMBRA — Serious concern has come to light from Mumbra in Maharashtra’s Thane District, where eligible girl students at A E Kalsekar Degree College are allegedly being denied the benefit of a government scheme that promises full tuition fee waiver for those from low-income families.
The scheme, announced by the Maharashtra government from the previous academic year, clearly states that girl students whose annual family income is ₹8 lakh or less do not have to pay tuition fees. Instead, the government is responsible for paying the fees directly to colleges.
Despite this, several students at the college have not received the benefit.
When questioned, the college administration said that they had not received any official instruction from the university regarding the scheme. This response has raised concern among students and parents who say the delay is affecting their education.
A recent case highlights the seriousness of the issue. On Saturday, a girl student of the degree college, whose father is disabled and has no source of income, applied for the fee waiver. Her family’s annual income is said to be less than ₹1 lakh. Along with her, two other classmates also applied — one is the daughter of a widow and the other lives with her grandmother.
According to the students, the college administration expressed a lack of awareness about the scheme and did not process their request.
Clarion India contacted the college’s Vice Principal, Farzana Chawre, and provided details of the scheme. It was pointed out that on 13 March 2026, during the Maharashtra Assembly budget session, MLA Rais Shaikh raised this issue.
He had informed the assembly that although the government introduced the scheme to help poor girl students in junior colleges and professional courses, many institutions were not implementing it. He warned that this practice defeats the purpose of free education.
In response, Higher Education Minister Chandrakant Patil had told the assembly that all colleges were instructed to appoint a nodal officer to assist eligible students. He had also warned that action would be taken against institutions failing to implement the scheme.
After reading the assembly proceedings, the Vice Principal said, “We have not received any instruction from the university. We work as per their guidelines. However, you may ask the student to submit an application, and we will check.”
In a remark that has drawn criticism, she also told a student’s mother, “If you were not in a position to pay the fees, the student should not have taken admission in the B Com course.”
Following the complaint, the matter was taken up with the office of the Higher Education Minister. Officials directed the complaint to the Director of Higher Education, who, in turn, referred it to the Joint Director for the concerned region.
Joint Director Kiran Kumar Bondar, who has jurisdiction over the college, said, “I have spoken to the college. They said the students are demanding a full fee waiver. Ask the students to submit an application clearly stating that they want a tuition fee waiver under the government scheme. The government will pay the fee to the college, and they have no objection.”
He assured that the college has been warned and that the scheme will now be implemented properly. “The college has been cautioned, and eligible students will be given the benefit,” he said.
When asked about similar issues in other colleges, he added, “Usually, both colleges and students are aware of the scheme. If any college denies the benefit, students should submit an application. If the issue is not resolved, they can file a written complaint with the Joint or Zonal Director of Higher Education.”
For many families, especially from minority communities, education remains the only path forward. Any delay or denial of such support schemes directly affects their future. Students and parents are now hoping that the authorities will ensure proper implementation so that no eligible student is left behind.
