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 higher and technical education department has also initiated refunds for students who have already paid the fees. The number of beneficiaries is expected to exceed five lakh by the Oct 30 deadline for submitting examination forms.The department has directed universities not to collect exam fees from eligible students in the 305 drought-affected talukas declared by state govt.The initiative aims to ensure that students from drought-hit areas do not face an additional financial burden while pursuing higher education. Under the arrangement, students can select the ‘zero challan’ option while filling out their examination forms, allowing them to complete the process without making any payment.“No student’s education should be disrupted because of the drought. 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. The process is still under way, and not a single student will be left out,” said higher and technical education minister Chandrakant Patil.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. Following this, the higher and technical education department directed universities to waive examination fees for eligible students in these talukas.“The department has taken steps to implement the waiver across universities rather than limiting the measure to issuing a govt order. Universities were instructed to issue circulars confirming the exemption, while arrangements were made for students who had already paid their examination fees to receive refunds. Those yet to submit their forms were given the zero-challan option,” said Dr Shailendra Deolankar, director of higher education.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.Implementation of the waiver is being monitored at three levels — the directorate, universities and examination departments.Deolankar is reviewing the progress to ensure that all eligible students receive the benefit.Patil has instructed all universities to implement the waiver. Students facing difficulties or being asked to pay despite being eligible have been advised to contact the helpline provided by their respective universities. The department is monitoring the process to ensure eligible students in drought-affected talukas are not denied the exemption because of administrative delays.
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