Proposed Maharashtra Studies Center in Mumbai University purpose of studying Maharashtra not yet started after 9 Years

The Maharashtra Studies Center, established by the University of Mumbai to study Maharashtra, has been proposed for the last 9 years and every year there is a huge provision in the budget. Every Year there is budget provision on Maharashtra study centers, which have not been started till date, it's revels in a RTI query filed by RTI Activist Anil Galgali.

RTI activist Anil Galgali had sought various information about Maharashtra Studies Center on January 31, 2019 from Mumbai University. In the information provided to Anil Galgali after six months, the University of Mumbai informed that the Maharashtra Studies Center has not yet started.The documents which have been given to Anil Galgali after 6 months reveal that on February 8, 2016, Dr. Bharati Nirgudkar invited Bharat Kumar Raut, President, Maharashtra Studies Center at Vidyanagari. The nature of Maharashtra study center will be as a study center for studying in Maharashtra. Focusing on 5 activities such as University Press, Library, Drama / Documentation of one act drama and contest, History of Mumbai and documentary. After this completing this 5 activities withing 5 years then Maharashtra will be studied, decided in a meeting.

The University of Mumbai has not started a Maharashtra study center but has made budgetary provision every year. 5 lakh was provided in the Budget 2010-2011. 5 lakh was made in the Budget 2011-2012. The budget was provisioned at Rs 29,95,750 for the financial year 2012-2013. In the Budget 2013-2014, a provision of Rs 5 lakh was made. In the Budget 2014-2015, a provision of 5 lakhs was made. The budget was provisioned 90 thousand in the financial year 2015-2016. The budget was provided for Rs 18,46,000 in the financial year 2016-2017. Rs 90,000 was provided in the Budget 2017-2018. The budget was provisioned 90 thousand in the financial year 2018-2019. The budget was provisioned 90 thousand in the financial year 2019-2020.

Anil Galgali sent a letter to Vice-Chancellor Dr Suhas Pednekar, along with  Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Education Minister Vinod Tawde, Minister of State Ravindra Waikar demanding that the proposed Maharashtra Study Center be started immediately and fulfill the objectives.

Dr. Anil Sapkal, Head of the Marathi Department of Mumbai University has informed Anil Galgali that the Head of the Department of Marathi is a designated member of the committee appointed to set up Maharashtra Studies Center. Marathi department heads are present at the meetings of the centers, but as the proposed center is still proposed, no officers and staff have been appointed there. Also, due to the fact that no study centers have been created, the exact working information cannot be given.