Bombay, Oct 13 (PTI): Students from poor families in Maharashtra will not have to pay fees at professional and higher education courses, a benefit that was restricted so far to those from scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said students whose annual family income is less than Rs 6 lakh will not have to pay fees for professional and higher education courses, including medical and engineering. At present, SC and ST students do not have to pay any fees, while students in the OBC or other backward classes category get a 50 per cent concession.

“It will now be extended to all students with income limit of Rs 6 lakhs and who have secured more than 60 per cent marks at the time of admission. Those with income limit up to Rs 2.5 lakhs will have no condition,” Fadvanis said, after a meeting of the state cabinet.

The Bharatiya Janata Party government also reaffirmed its commitment to provide reservation to the Maratha community.

The 'Rajrishi Shahu Maharaj Fee Pratipurti Yojana' was earlier implemented for SC/ST and OBC students.

He said 6,000 students in government colleges and 1,45,000 in private colleges will benefit from the decision.

The government also decided that the 'Punjabrao Deshmukh' scheme will be implemented to provide hostel fees to children of marginal farmers and registered labourers.

In big cities, Rs 30,000 will be given annually while in district-level towns it will be Rs 20,000.

The government has also decided to implement 'Pandit Deendayal Upadhay Swayam Yojana' for providing hostel and food facilities to tribal students, Fadnavis said.

In big cities, it would be Rs 6,000 a month, in 2-tier cities it would be Rs 5,000 and in 3-tier it would be Rs 4,000 a month.

In medical colleges, the government will pay the interest on education loans taken by students whose family income is in the Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 6 lakh slab. This decision will help about 35,000 students in government colleges and 300,000 in private colleges.

Describing the decisions as “historic”, Fadnavis said, ”The investment we are making in education sector will yield good results in times to come. We are making provision of Rs 1,000 crore this year and later budgetary provision will be done.

”Medical colleges will have to get accreditation done in two years so that the quality of education is enhanced. Focus should also be given on 50 per cent placement,” he said.

He said lack of opportunities in education was one of the main concerns of the Maratha community while seeking reservation.

”In the last 20 years, education has become a business in the state and the common man is finding it difficult to get admission,” the BJP leader said.

Fadnavis said his government was firm on giving reservation to Marathas.

”But all issues are not resolved with reservation. Marathas are not demanding repeal of atrocity law but want misuse (of the law) to stop. Even Dalit leaders agree,” he said.

The chief minister also appealed to the citizens not to fall prey to activities of anti-social elements.