Pune: A total of 86,035 students across Maharashtra are still awaiting their exam fee refunds due to various technical issues, despite the state government's initiative to waive fees for 5,99,064 students in the drought-affected regions.
The waiver, intended for students of 10th and 12th grades, has been delayed for many due to errors such as incorrect Aadhaar numbers, closed bank accounts, or accounts not linked with Aadhaar.
Drought-like conditions were declared in 40 talukas and 1,021 revenue areas across 15 districts of the state. The state board decided to implement a fee waiver for students from drought-affected areas.
Information was requested to deposit the fee amount online into Aadhaar-linked bank accounts of the students and parents. During this period, data for 3,48,942 10th-grade students and 2,50,122 12th-grade students were collected, amounting to a total exam fee of ₹29.25 crore.
The state government allocated ₹8.9 crore for this scheme for 2023-24. Subsequently, the state board initiated the refund process for 1,13,642 10th-grade students and 74,106 12th-grade students.
However, the refund amount was not deposited into the accounts of 56,155 10th-grade students and 29,880 12th-grade students. According to the bank's report, the refund could not be processed due to certain issues.
As a result, ₹3.92 crore remained with the state board. This amount has now been given to the bank for the reimbursement of the remaining 80,455 students.
Details of students facing technical issues are being corrected through divisional boards, after which the refunds will be processed.
