Human rights panel summons chief secretary over colleges not giving fee waivers

Kuldeep Ambekar, a social activist and lawyer had filed a complaint regarding the struggles faced by students who come from drought-affected areas of Vidarbha and Marathwada. Taking notice of their financial struggles, the government had sent out a GR on February 28 by the Directorate of Higher Education directing colleges to ensure that all students from drought-affected and drought-like areas are given an exam fee waiver.

The Maharashtra HRC noted that “some educational institutes” were “not ready and willing to act as per GR and because of (that) the students, particularly from Marathwada and Vidarbha are suffering”.

The commission said it was the duty of the government to provide good education and other facilities to students and called the inaction on part of the government a violation of human rights of the students concerned.

Ambekar said, “Students have been running from pillar to post for basic sustenance. Some of them are still trying to continue their education against all odds, but without the help that they were promised, they will end up dropping out. Despite the state government GR and regular follow ups, many students have not been granted the required waivers from their colleges. Some had already paid their exam fee by the time the colleges started collecting data and then they were told that the amount will be sent to their accounts, but that has not happened either.”