In a starred question tabled on Wednesday during the ongoing Monsoon Session, some MLAs sought clarification from the Minister of Higher and Technical Education on reports suggesting severe inconvenience being faced by students due to broken infrastructure, closed canteen, lack of drinking water
Maharashtra Minister Chandrakant Patil said the Madam Cama Girls Hostel is well-maintained and adequately staffed. File pic
The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Wednesday witnessed a debate over the alleged poor living conditions at the Mumbai University’s Madam Cama Girls Hostel in Churchgate, with a group of MLAs raising concerns about the safety and welfare of over 120 students residing at the facility.
In a starred question tabled during the ongoing Maharashtra Assembly Monsoon Session 2025, MLAs including Vijay Wadettiwar, Aslam Shaikh, Nana Patole, Amit Patel, and others sought clarification from the Minister of Higher and Technical Education on reports suggesting severe inconvenience being faced by students due to broken infrastructure, closed canteen, lack of drinking water, and absence of proper supervision.
The legislators questioned if the girl students were left to manage with only one non-functional cooler and two fans in a seven-storey building, whether the warden was present on campus for just two hours a day, and if any remedial measures had been taken following a visit by members of the legislature to the premises.
Responding to the allegations, Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil categorically denied all charges, stating that the hostel is functioning as per required standards and that no complaints have been received from students.
He informed the House that the hostel receives around 25,000 litres of water daily from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and is equipped with four coolers and 32 fans. The mess facility, he clarified, was only shut for 10 days due to unavoidable reasons, with prior notice given to students. It is now operational.
Patil acknowledged that a bathroom leak on the second floor had caused damage to a section of the false ceiling on the floor below, but said that prompt repairs had been carried out and the ceiling was fully restored. He also informed that the structural maintenance of the building is ongoing and that any scrap materials are securely stored in a designated room.
Dismissing claims about the absence of supervision, Patil said a full-time hostel superintendent, along with security personnel and staff are available round-the-clock to assist the students. He also refuted suggestions that no action had been taken following visits by legislators.
Patil concluded by stating that the hostel is well-maintained and adequately staffed, and that the question of delay in repairs or action does not arise.
While the government maintained that facilities are adequate and concerns are unfounded, opposition members reiterated the need for periodic inspections and better grievance redressal mechanisms to ensure the safety and well-being of students living in university hostels.
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