120 colleges have only upto 10 students: Maharashtra govt

Mumbai, April 8: There are 120 colleges in the state which have only 2 to 10 students, Maharashtra government today said.

Minister of State for Education Ravindra Waikar said this in the Legislative Assembly while replying to queries raised by Ganpat Deshmukh (PWP) and others during the Question Hour.

The legislators said that despite having no students, some college owners have been fraudulently seeking government grants.

Waikar said the government had sought a report about such colleges and a decision would soon be taken regarding them. Intervening in the discussion, Education Minister Vinod Tawde said that many colleges are witnessing student dropout.

A local inquiry committee does the survey on the available infrastructure and other facilities in colleges. A report on the colleges having less students is also being sought, he said.

During discussion on another question regarding grants to Marathi medium schools in Mumbai, Tawde said that the state government will take all steps to preserve Marathi language and encourage Marathi medium schools.

"We will also take steps to ensure that quality education is imparted in the existing Marathi medium schools. Out of the 43 applications received for setting up of new schools in Mumbai, 28 are Marathi medium," he said.

PTI