Two grants of Rs 5 cr each are given to 43 Maharashtra institutions by Mumbai

MUMBAI: The Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) will award grants of Rs 5 crore to 43 institutions in the state, including Dadar’s Kirti College and Chembur’s Vivekanand Education Society’s College of Arts, Science, and Commerce. Furthermore, four districts have been designated for programmes aimed at promoting gender equality and inclusion, with a budget of around Rs 10 crore each.

The state has received a total grant under PM-USHA of Rs 795 crore, or 10% of all financing in the nation, as a result of the federal government’s selection of these institutions and districts. Prior to this, the state had been given around Rs 540 crore for two components that were just intended for universities.
The centre got 2,402 ideas in total, out of a goal of 401. Two other colleges from Thane and Palghar, in addition to Kirti and VES, have been chosen to get the Rs 5 crore award. Colleges are expected to concentrate on setting up labs and acquiring the required supplies under this category. It is anticipated that the chosen colleges will lend their resources to other establishments. The national government would provide funds totaling more than Rs 8,000 crore under PM-USHA’s six components. Allocation distribution will follow the model of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shikshan Abhiyan (RUSA), with 40% going to the states and 60% going to the centre.
Initiatives for gender equality and inclusion have been recognised in 41 districts nationwide, four of which are in Maharashtra. Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Osmanabad, and Washim districts would each get around Rs 10 crore. States were requested to make ideas for districts in need of gender inclusion programmes based on a variety of factors, including population, geography, socioeconomic profile, low gross enrollment ratio, and absence of gender inclusive infrastructure. By constructing restrooms, dormitories for females, and other facilities in these regions, the state hopes to “improve the tangible infrastructure to boost gender inclusiveness and equity” with the help of the funding. Four state institutions, including SNDT Women’s University, were awarded grants of Rs 100 crore each, while seven other universities were given grants of Rs 20 crore apiece, according to a previous report by TOI.