Students face loan hurdles, leaders seek local access to end middlemen exploitation and delays
BHIWANDI — The demand to open a local office of the Maulana Azad Minority Financial Corporation in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra, has received a fresh push, as thousands of students continue to struggle to access education loans.
Currently, the absence of a local office requires students from Bhiwandi and nearby areas to travel to Thane, which many consider both costly and time-consuming. As a result, several students depend on middlemen to process their loan applications, often losing a part of the sanctioned amount.
Concerned over the situation, a delegation led by Advocate Rashid Sheikh and former corporator Shaf Momin met the corporation’s chairman, Mushtaq Antule, in Mumbai. The meeting was arranged with the support of Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi.
During the discussion, the delegation raised issues faced by students, including a lack of awareness, dependence on agents, and the hardship of travelling long distances for basic formalities.
Speaking after the meeting, Advocate Rashid Sheikh said, “Students are facing real difficulty. Many are forced to go through agents, and that affects the amount they actually receive.”
Shaf Momin added, “If a local office is set up, it will directly benefit thousands of students and reduce unnecessary delays.”
The chairman responded positively and indicated that a local office could be considered if basic infrastructure is arranged. He also announced a temporary step to ease the situation.
“We are ready to support. If infrastructure is provided, a local office can be opened. Until then, our staff will visit Bhiwandi once a week to assist students,” Mushtaq Antule said.
Local leaders have welcomed the assurance. Samajwadi Party’s local president Anas Ansari said, “We will ensure that necessary arrangements are made quickly so that students can benefit from government schemes without trouble.”
Educationists and social workers believe that opening an office in Bhiwandi could bring major relief. One local academic said, “This will help students apply directly and reduce the role of agents who have been exploiting them for years.”
For many families, the issue is not just about loans but about access to education. With the proposed steps, there is hope that students from minority communities will find it easier to continue their studies without financial barriers.
___
Photo: Advocate Rashid Sheikh and Shaf Momin speaking with Maulana Azad Financial Corporation Chairman Mushtaq Antule —INN
