Maharashtra government is planning to start special coaching classes for rural students, especially tribals, at divisional level to help them prepare for various competitive examinations.
This was announced by social justice minister Shivajirao Moghe here last evening.
According to him, the rural students do not have adequate facility to prepare for competitive exams and hence they are always left out from joining important posts.
To overcome this handicap, the social justice department has decided to start coaching centres at six divisional headquarters across the state. These centres will provide three-month duration course free of cost to deserving students, he said.
As many as 30 per cent of the seats will be reserved for women candidates, Mr Moghe said. "We shall give the responsibility to run the centres to renowned educational institutions which will be chosen by a selection committee after inviting proposals through public advertisement."
Highlighting the priorities of the ruling democratic front coalition, Mr Moghe said the government has announced a Rs 1,600-crore package for the farmers affected by the unseasonal rain and also obtained extension for the export of cotton bales till March 11.
Regarding the scholarship to the SC, OBC and VJ/NT students, Mr Moghe said 70 per cent of the eligible students have opened their saving accounts in the nationalised banks so far.