100 residential schools for backward students in Maha by June

Nagpur, Feb 21 (PTI) Maharashtra government has decidedto open 100 residential schools across the state for studentsfrom backward castes from June this year, Maharashtra Ministerfor Social Justice Shivajirao Moghe said here.

"The decision of the state government to launch about 300residential schools in Maharashtra was pending since 2006-07since there was a difference of opinion on opening theseschools due to staff crunch and the premises where it will berun," Moghe, who is also the District Guardian Minister, toldreporters last night.

"Chavan, during his 100 days in office, agreed to aproposal from our Ministry to run 100 schools from the nextacademic session on whatever premises the Social JusticeDepartment acquires," he said.

Moghe said in order to make the caste validitycertification process speedy, the state government hasincreased the strength of its Committee members from presentseven to 15.

The Committee is entrusted with the tedious job ofscrutiny of caste certificates of 99 lakh students from SC,1.10 crores from VJNT and three crores from other backwardclass (OBC), the minister said.

Moghe, who hails from the cotton belt of Yavatmal, saidChavan has also got nod from Delhi for cotton exports.

Also, cotton growers have fetched prices ranging from Rs4,000-7,000 per quintal this season, the highest ever, hesaid.

Cotton prices were earlier between Rs 3,800-4,200 perquintal.