NAGPUR: Despite approving 44 months ago, the Maharashtra government is yet to facilitate 72 hostels for students belonging to other backward communities (OBCs).
The delay, however, raises a question mark on big claims of previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government and also the current dispensation led by Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis about the welfare of OBCs, say community leaders.
President of Students’ Rights Association of India Umesh Korram met other backward bahujan welfare department minister Atul Save on Monday and submitted a memorandum demanding construction and operation of hostels for OBC students as soon as possible.
A day ago, students led by Korram and others had staged demonstrations in the city under the banner of OBC Yuva Adhikar Manch.
Korram told TOI, “VJ, NT, OBC and SBC welfare department issued a notification on January 30, 2019 and gave approval for construction of a hostel in all districts (36) of the state — 18 for boys and rest for girls. Two years ago, the then other backward bahujan welfare department minister Vijay Wadettiwar had approved to increase the number of hostels to 72 — one boys and girls hostel in each of the 36 districts. However, nothing has happened till date.”
In the notification, approval was also given to recruit necessary staff for operation and maintenance of the hostels. Funds required were also okayed.
Korram added students of VJ, NT, OBC and SBC are unable to pursue higher education due to lack of hostels. “These hostels were supposed to be built at all district headquarters. Villages lack senior colleges and institutions of technical education. All these are available at district headquarters. Majority of OBC students from rural areas cannot afford private accommodation and food expenditure. Therefore, the government had announced to facilitate the hostels. Unfortunately, not a single hostel has come up across the state,” he said.
The government had facilitated hostels for scheduled caste students in rented buildings across the state. Starting hostels in rented buildings till completion of government set ups can solve the problems of OBC students, say the association members.
Korram also said a series of agitations will be launched in case these hostels are not facilitated at the earliest.
The delay, however, raises a question mark on big claims of previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government and also the current dispensation led by Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis about the welfare of OBCs, say community leaders.
President of Students’ Rights Association of India Umesh Korram met other backward bahujan welfare department minister Atul Save on Monday and submitted a memorandum demanding construction and operation of hostels for OBC students as soon as possible.
A day ago, students led by Korram and others had staged demonstrations in the city under the banner of OBC Yuva Adhikar Manch.
Korram told TOI, “VJ, NT, OBC and SBC welfare department issued a notification on January 30, 2019 and gave approval for construction of a hostel in all districts (36) of the state — 18 for boys and rest for girls. Two years ago, the then other backward bahujan welfare department minister Vijay Wadettiwar had approved to increase the number of hostels to 72 — one boys and girls hostel in each of the 36 districts. However, nothing has happened till date.”
In the notification, approval was also given to recruit necessary staff for operation and maintenance of the hostels. Funds required were also okayed.
Korram added students of VJ, NT, OBC and SBC are unable to pursue higher education due to lack of hostels. “These hostels were supposed to be built at all district headquarters. Villages lack senior colleges and institutions of technical education. All these are available at district headquarters. Majority of OBC students from rural areas cannot afford private accommodation and food expenditure. Therefore, the government had announced to facilitate the hostels. Unfortunately, not a single hostel has come up across the state,” he said.
The government had facilitated hostels for scheduled caste students in rented buildings across the state. Starting hostels in rented buildings till completion of government set ups can solve the problems of OBC students, say the association members.
Korram also said a series of agitations will be launched in case these hostels are not facilitated at the earliest.