Maharashtra’s Ganpati mandals must fund education of farmers’ children:Charity commissioner

The appeal was made at a meeting organised by the charity commissioner on Tuesday

After having conducted 3,046 mass marriages, the state’s charity commissioner has asked Ganpati mandals across the state to provide for the education of children from farming families who have scored more than 85% in their Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination. 

“Ganpati mandals will help hardworking students this year,” said Shivkumar Dige, charity commissioner.(HT FILE/PICTURE FOR REPRESENTATION)

The appeal was made at a meeting organised by the charity commissioner on Tuesday and attended by prominent mandals across the city and by members of Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshostsav Samanvay Samiti (BSGSS). 

“It has been observed that just because the fee for a particular course is higher, a lot of students compromise on their choice of educational stream. However, if the student has worked hard and scored good percentage, then he/she shouldn’t compromise on their career, and in this case, Ganpati mandals will help them this year,” said Shivkumar Dige, charity commissioner. 

Dige added that around 5 to 10 students will be selected from 35 districts for the scheme after a scrutinisation process. Depending on the amount collected through the drive, which begins tomorrow, the amount to be given to these students will be decided. 

BSGSS also raised the issue of mandals in the city who are unable to file change reports or register themselves with the charity commissioner because of proximity issues. Therefore, they requested for a special drive be conducted in the city. 

“We requested the charity commissioner to conduct a drive because the mandals in the city were facing a lot of problem to work as per the proper procedure laid down under Maharashtra Public Trust act. After the discussion, the commissioner has asked the deputy charity commissioner to look into the registration problems,” said Naresh Dahibavkar, president, BSGSS.

“The charity commissioner told us about how it was necessary for us to donate 10% of the profit for charity. So, since the bigger mandals like us have anyways been helping others through various causes, now even smaller mandals will help those who belong to lower strata of society as well. We have been asked to deposit the money in a specified bank account designated for this cause,” said Swapnil Parab, secretary, Lalbaug Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal, Ganesh Galli.