CM yet to decide on higher education fee waivers to backward class students

Updated on: Saturday, June 23, 2012

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan deferred his Cabinet's decision on changing the income limit for higher education fee waivers under pressure from Congress.
   
The Maharashtra unit of Congress had demanded scrapping of the Cabinet's decision to fix upper income limit of Rs 2 lakh per annum for scholarships and fee concessions to backward class students.
   
A delegation headed by state unit president Manikrao Thakre met Chavan last night and the issue was discussed in the pre-Cabinet meeting of the Congress ministers this morning, sources said.
   
Congress ministers wanted that the Government Resolution (GR) of 2006, which did not have income limit for SC and ST students and a limit of Rs 4.5 lakh for nomadic tribe students, Special Backward Classes and OBCs, be retained.
   
Ministers Nitin Raut and Narayan Rane told the Chief Minister that considering the possible political implications, the Cabinet's decision should be reviewed, sources added.
   
After Chavan said that the decision on the issue would be deferred, there was no further discussion, sources said.
   
As per the 2006 GR, SC and ST students with an annual family income above Rs two lakh were given 100 per cent exam fee reimbursement while students with lesser family income could avail scholarships as per the central government scheme.
   
Last week, the Cabinet decided to discontinue with the 100 per cent fee waiver. The upper income limit for tuition and exam fee reimbursement for nomadic tribes, Special Backward Class and OBCs was reduced from Rs 4.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh. Higher and Technical Education Department (a portfolio held by NCP) had put up this proposal.
 

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