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Key Points

The Maharashtra Cabinet, led by CM Devendra Fadnavis, granted statutory status to the State Scheduled Castes Commission. Separate commissions for SCs and STs align with central recommendations to address distinct needs. Medical students in physiotherapy and nursing courses will see stipend hikes up to Rs 33,730. These reforms aim to strengthen social justice and education support, effective June 2025.

Key Points: Fadnavis Clears Statutory Status for Maharashtra SC Commission

  • Maharashtra Cabinet approves statutory status for SC Commission
  • Stipend hikes for physiotherapy and nursing students
  • Separate SC/ST commissions as per central recommendation
  • Changes effective from June 2025
2 min read

Maharashtra Cabinet clears statutory status to State Scheduled Castes Commission

Maharashtra Cabinet approves statutory powers for SC Commission and hikes stipends for medical students, effective June 2025.

"The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission was established in the state in 2005 to effectively implement the principle of social justice. – Government Release"

Mumbai, June 10

The Maharashtra Cabinet during a meeting chaired by Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday cleared the statutory status to the State Scheduled Castes Commission. The government will introduce a bill in the upcoming monsoon session of the state legislature.

“The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission was established in the state in 2005 to effectively implement the principle of social justice. There are two separate commissions functioning in the central government for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Since the subjects related to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are different, the Central Tribal Council has recommended the establishment of separate commissions for both. Accordingly, two separate commissions have been established in the state for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes,” said a government release.

During the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the draft bill prepared to grant statutory status to the State Scheduled Castes Commission was approved. It was also approved to transfer the 27 posts created for this commission.

Further, the Cabinet also cleared an increase in the stipend of students of government physiotherapy, occupational therapy, degree and postgraduate courses in the state and to start stipend for students of B.Sc. Nursing course.

“Students of government degree courses in physical therapy and occupational therapy were getting a monthly stipend of Rs 1,750 during their residency training. This will be increased by Rs 6,250 to Rs 8,000 per month. A rise of Rs 10,000 including dearness allowance has been approved for postgraduate students of the same course. After this increase, postgraduate students will get a stipend of Rs 33,730. This increase will be effective from June 1, 2025,” said the government release.

B.Sc. nursing course is being offered in five government nursing colleges in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nanded.

About 50 students study in each of these places. The residency period of these students is six months. It was approved to provide a stipend of Rs 8,000 per month to these students, said the government release.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
Good move by Maharashtra government! Separate commissions for SC and ST will help address specific issues more effectively. The stipend increase for medical students is also much needed - Rs. 1750 was too low in today's times. 👍
P
Priya M.
While statutory status is welcome, I hope this doesn't become another bureaucratic body. The real test will be whether it actually improves lives at grassroots level. The nursing student stipend is a positive step though!
A
Amit S.
Finally some good news for medical students! The stipend hike was long overdue. But government should also focus on improving infrastructure in these colleges. Many government medical colleges lack basic facilities.
S
Sunita R.
As someone from Maharashtra, I appreciate the government's focus on both social justice and education. The stipend for nursing students will encourage more girls to take up this noble profession. 👏
V
Vikram J.
Hope this isn't just another pre-election announcement. We've seen many commissions formed but ground reality changes slowly. The real measure will be reduction in caste-based discrimination cases in the state.
N
Neha P.
The nursing stipend is a game-changer! Many students from middle-class families struggle during their residency. Rs. 8000 will help cover basic expenses. Hope other states follow Maharashtra's example.

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