Latest news with #PrashantSathe
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Colleges in Marathwada accused of demanding fees from economically weaker section girls despite free education scheme
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Educational activists on Tuesday alleged that some Marathwada colleges were demanding partial fees from girls belonging to the economically weaker section (EWS) category, despite Maharashtra govt's scheme offering free higher education to girls belonging to specified categories. "Colleges mislead girl students and their parents by claiming that only a partial waiver is offered by govt in fees and they should pay exam fees and other expenses. Fearing academic loss, girl students or their parents often do not raise complaints against such claims," educational activist Prashant Sathe said. According to a govt decision announced last July, girl students from EWS, SEBC and OBC categories with an annual family income of Rs 8 lakh or less are eligible for free higher education in govt-approved institutes. Despite this, some colleges in Marathwada allegedly continued to demand fees from such beneficiaries. The joint director of education (higher) for the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division had warned colleges against this practice last Aug. The education department authorities said no formal complaint was received from girls or their parents about the alleged charging of fees during the current academic year. "It is a very serious matter if eligible girls are denied free education, and the institutes concerned will be responsible for future action against them. Students and parents are requested to lodge a complaint if fees are charged," a senior education department official said. Educational activist Tukaram Saraf said govt must launch a helpline number for girl students. "A centralised mechanism is necessary to address such complaints. Such a measure would put a check on errant practices and ensure free education for girls," he added. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
06-08-2025
- Time of India
Parents and activists demand stricter school transport safety
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Parents and education activists in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar are demanding stricter enforcement of school transportation safety rules following a recent incident where a 30-year-old bus driver was arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act. The arrest came after a nine-year-old girl reported being subjected to misconduct by the driver. The incident occurred on July 30. The police said that the accused driver allegedly stopped the bus before the girl's home, where she was the last student to be dropped off. He then made inappropriate comments and asked her to go on an outing with him, instructing her not to tell her parents. The girl informed her parents the next day, and an offence was registered. The Mukundwadi police have since arrested the driver. In response, the parents and activists are calling for schools to strictly adhere to existing safety protocols, such as requiring a female attendant on buses transporting girls and conducting thorough police character verifications for all bus staff. Educational activist Prashant Sathe, who leads a parents' advocacy group, said the latest Pocso case exposed a glaring lapse in the safety of school transportation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Kate Middleton Reportedly Taking Royal Split 'Badly' Crowdy Fan Undo "The school bus in question did not have a mandatory female attendant. It shows how schools badly neglect the laid-down norms," he said. Sathe added that the police must force the schools for the formation of a mandatory School Transport Committee. "Schools cannot disown the responsibility of forming such panels. It is necessary that such committees hold periodic meetings involving parents," he said.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Cap for class eleven admissions reintroduced in sambhajinagar after four years
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Admissions to Class XI in junior colleges of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar will be carried out through the centralized admission process (CAP) from academic year CAP was abruptly discontinued in 2021-22 following pressure from a section of politicians-cum-educational stakeholders had demanded centralized admissions for Class XI instead of college-level admissions to ensure transparency and accountability in the admission process. A senior education department official from the region said stakeholders need to understand that the CAP is beneficial for all stakeholders, especially students and their parents."The CAP for Class XI admissions will take place across the state this year. The centralized admission process will help in avoiding physical visits of students and their parents to multiple colleges. It will also eliminate the possible scope for cash-for-admission in certain colleges. Colleges will also witness a level playing field, and there will be no biases," he per the official schedule, the online registration of colleges for the CAP is scheduled to take place from Thursday till May 15. The online profile of students will be created between May 19 and May 28, and the same window will be available for giving options for colleges. The official schedule mentions the target completion of the admission process by August activist Prashant Sathe said the state govt must ensure that CAP remains in place in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar for Class XI admissions. "A section of politicians may again raise their voice against CAP, but the education department must not pay heed to them. It should keep the interests of students and parents uppermost in mind," he CAP for Class XI admissions was first introduced in 2017-18. The colleges together had an intake capacity of over 29,000 seats in the past. The latest intake capacity would be declared after the registration of colleges is over.
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Incentive payout for intercaste marriages delayed
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Over 70 couples from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar are awaiting govt's intercaste marriage incentive disbursement of Rs 50,000. Procedural lapses at the level of a nationalised bank was allegedly deemed as the cause behind the issue, despite the social justice department's release of funds before the end of the last financial year. Social welfare officer SD Chavan said a show-cause notice was issued to the bank that was expected to disburse funds to the accounts of the couples. "The bank authorities verbally told us that certain neglect occurred in the release of funds due to different March-ending works. I personally visited Mumbai to ensure funds do not get lapsed," he told TOI. The social justice department in Feb released Rs 70 lakh for disbursing incentives to 140 couples from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Of these, around 50% of the couples are yet to receive the money. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo One such man married under the inter-caste marriage scheme said he was running from pillar to post to avail govt incentive of Rs 50,000. "When we approached govt authorities, they pointed their fingers towards the bank. The visits to the bank proved futile. We are asking for our rightful due and not any favour," he said, preferring anonymity. Social activist Prashant Sathe said authorities must take action against guilty bank officials. "Dr BR Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, strongly advocated inter-caste marriages as a means to dismantle the caste system. In line with this progressive vision, govt offers financial incentives to couples entering into such unions. Any lapse in disbursing these funds is a matter of serious concern, and those responsible must be held legally accountable," he said. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Over 70 couples from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar are awaiting govt's intercaste marriage incentive disbursement of Rs 50,000. Procedural lapses at the level of a nationalised bank was allegedly deemed as the cause behind the issue, despite the social justice department's release of funds before the end of the last financial year. Social welfare officer SD Chavan said a show-cause notice was issued to the bank that was expected to disburse funds to the accounts of the couples. "The bank authorities verbally told us that certain neglect occurred in the release of funds due to different March-ending works. I personally visited Mumbai to ensure funds do not get lapsed," he told TOI. The social justice department in Feb released Rs 70 lakh for disbursing incentives to 140 couples from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Of these, around 50% of the couples are yet to receive the money. One such man married under the inter-caste marriage scheme said he was running from pillar to post to avail govt incentive of Rs 50,000. "When we approached govt authorities, they pointed their fingers towards the bank. The visits to the bank proved futile. We are asking for our rightful due and not any favour," he said, preferring anonymity. Social activist Prashant Sathe said authorities must take action against guilty bank officials. "Dr BR Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, strongly advocated inter-caste marriages as a means to dismantle the caste system. In line with this progressive vision, govt offers financial incentives to couples entering into such unions. Any lapse in disbursing these funds is a matter of serious concern, and those responsible must be held legally accountable," he said.
