Maharashtra announces free higher education for EWS, SEBC and OBC girls

After the announcement of the Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme in the state budget, the Maharashtra government has come out with another women-oriented policy under which girls belonging to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), other After the Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme, the Maharashtra government has come out with another women-oriented policy under which girls belonging to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), other Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBC) and other Backward Classes (OBC) are provided free higher education.

The initiative, aimed at promoting women’s education, was taken up during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday. Also, tuition and examination fees for orphaned students of both sexes will be waived, according to the government resolution.

Minister for Women and Child Development Aditi Tatkare on Tuesday took to Twitter and said, “This decision will help girls from ordinary families fulfil their dream of pursuing higher education.”

The decision will be implemented from the academic year 2024-25 and the government has approved an additional outlay of Rs 906 crore for implementing the scheme, the resolution said, adding that the aim is to increase the number of girls taking up vocational courses, as per the National Education Policy (NEP). “Only 36% girls opt for vocational courses including agriculture, engineering, pharmacy and others. So far, girls from OBC and EWS categories are getting 50% fee rebate,” it said.

This facility is available to students seeking admission to recognised professional courses through the Central Admission Process in government colleges, grant-aided private colleges, semi-granted private colleges and ungranted colleges, polytechnics, autonomous government universities and open universities.

Seven Mumbai stations have changed their names

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) on Tuesday passed a resolution to change the names of seven railway stations in Mumbai on the Harbour and Western lines. On the Western line, the Currey Road station will be renamed as Lalbaug, Marine Lines as Mumbadevi and Charni Road as Girgaon, while on the Central line, Sandhurst Road will be renamed as Dongri, Cotton Green as Kalachowki, Dockyard Road as Mazgaon and King’s Circle as Tirthankar Parswanath. The resolution will be submitted to the Union cabinet for its approval.