65 hostels for OBC students completed, enhanced security in girls’ hostels: Maha CM Fadnavis
Nagpur, Dec 9 (Press Trust) – The Maharashtra Department of Other Backward Class (OBC) Welfare announced that 65 new hostels for OBC students have now been set up across the state. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis praised OBC Welfare Minister Atul Save for steering the project to completion, noting that the issue had lingered for a decade without progress. “When Minister Save took over, I asked him to secure land and create the necessary facilities. I’m pleased to see 65 hostels operational today,” the CM said. He added that the government’s long‑term goal is to build independent hostels in every district instead of leasing spaces. Land acquisition is underway, with most districts already finalized. The Revenue Department has transferred property in Pune, Jalna, Buldhana, Bhandara, Wardha, Gadchiroli and Ratnagiri, while other agencies have released land in Solapur, Sangli, Dhule, Dharashiv, Amravati, Akola, Yavatmal, Washim, Chandrapur and Gondia. Transfers are ongoing in Nagpur, Kolhapur, Satara, Nashik, Jalgaon, Nandurbar, Latur, Nanded, Hingoli, Beed, Parbhani, Sindhudurg, Palghar, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Ahilyanagar. Minister Save ordered all commissioners and collectors to implement the plan within six months, also tapping vacant dairy land to add roughly ten new sites.
Under the “Aadhar” and “Swayam” schemes, about 1,200 students per district—600 boys and 600 girls—receive direct benefit transfers of ₹38,000 to ₹60,000. The Minister noted that the Aarey Dairy area in Mumbai cannot host new dorms due to environmental concerns, though a special permit could change that. All girls’ hostels now have CCTV, and processes for a Flying Squad are in progress. During a question hour, Minister Save announced that the Unique Disability ID (UDID) card will be mandatory in all state government offices from 9 Oct 2025, per a new resolution. UDID cards are required for reservations, promotions and other benefits, and offices must verify documents by the end of January 2026. The announcement followed questions from MLAs about fraudulent disability certificates. Minister Save said a crackdown is ongoing: in Satara 79 of 598 staff were suspended; in Pune 46 of 428; Latur 26; Yavatmal 21; and Nandurbar two. Affected cases have been sent to the appropriate revenue, public works and hiring departments, which must act within three months. Those issuing fake certificates face up to two years’ punishment under Section 91 of the Disability Act, 2016. Civil hospitals are now required to inspect certificates twice a week. The Minister also revealed that the password for the ‘Universal Disability System’ at Ahilyanagar Civil Hospital was stolen, pledging a thorough investigation and strict action. He reiterated that the UDID system rules are set by the central government, though suggestions will be forwarded to the Centre. sj/khz
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