Maharashtra Cabinet Approves Higher Student Aid, Rs 5 Lakh Compensation in Eligible Custodial Death Cases

Maharashtra Cabinet Decisions: Rs 80,000 Student Aid, Rs 5 Lakh Compensation for Custodial Deaths

Maharashtra Cabinet Decisions: The Maharashtra Cabinet has approved several measures focused on student welfare, assistance for SC and ST students, compensation in cases of custodial deaths and support for traditional occupations.

Under the revised student welfare schemes, eligible SC, Nav-Buddhist and ST students who qualify for government hostels but do not receive admission will now receive higher annual financial assistance.

Students in Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur to Get Rs 80,000 Annually

Under the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Swadhar Scheme, eligible SC and Nav-Buddhist students who are unable to secure admission to government hostels will receive increased financial assistance.

Students studying in Mumbai city, Mumbai suburban, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and Nagpur will now receive Rs 80,000 per year.

The assistance includes:

• Rs 42,000 for food
• Rs 28,000 for accommodation
• Rs 10,000 as subsistence allowance

Students studying at other divisional headquarters and C-class municipal corporation areas will receive Rs 68,000 annually.

Those studying at other district headquarters and in institutions located within five kilometres of municipal corporation limits will receive Rs 57,000 per year.

Students studying at taluka headquarters will receive Rs 50,000 annually.

Medical and engineering students will also receive an additional Rs 8,000 per year, while students pursuing other courses will receive an additional Rs 4,000.

Rs 5 Lakh Compensation for Deaths in Police Custody

In another major decision, the Maharashtra Cabinet approved a compensation policy for deaths in police custody.

Under the policy, the next of kin of a person who dies in police custody will receive Rs 5 lakh if it is established that the death resulted from assault, torture or coercion by police personnel.

The policy also provides compensation for permanent disabilities caused by physical or mental torture in custody.

The compensation will be:

• Rs 2 lakh for permanent disability of less than 50 per cent
• Rs 4 lakh for permanent disability of 50 per cent or more

The policy is intended to provide financial assistance to victims and their families when custodial abuse is established.

ST Students to Receive Higher Assistance Under Swayam Scheme

The Cabinet has also approved an increase in assistance under the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swayam Scheme for ST students who are eligible for government hostels but are unable to obtain admission.

Students studying in Mumbai city, Mumbai suburban, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and Nagpur will receive Rs 80,000 annually, compared with the earlier assistance of Rs 60,000.

For students studying at other divisional headquarters and C-class municipal corporation areas, the assistance has been increased to Rs 68,000 from Rs 51,000.

Students studying at other district headquarters will receive Rs 57,000, while students studying at other locations will receive Rs 50,000 annually.

Medical and engineering students will additionally receive Rs 8,000 per year for educational materials, while students pursuing other disciplines will receive Rs 4,000.

Maharashtra Cabinet Decisions: Key Highlights

The latest decisions focus on expanding financial support for students who cannot access government hostel facilities and providing compensation to victims of established custodial abuse.

The increased assistance under the Swadhar and Swayam schemes is expected to provide additional financial support to SC, Nav-Buddhist and ST students pursuing higher education across Maharashtra.