Chandrapur: The tribal development dept clarified that govt-run tribal hostels in Maharashtra have not been privatised and that no rights over their buildings, assets or administrative management have been transferred to any private organisation.The clarification follows concerns over a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with the Late Laxmanrao Mankar Smruti Sanstha, Nagpur, to conduct free educational and personality-development programmes for hostel residents. The three-year MoU is valid up to Aug 15, 2028.The department operates 490 govt hostels across state, with a combined capacity of 65,084 students. Under the MoU, the organisation will voluntarily conduct 18 programmes without receiving any payment from govt. These include entrepreneurship workshops, career guidance, personality development, competitive examination guidance, spoken English, financial literacy etc. The organisation’s role is limited to providing supplementary educational, social and personality-development activities.The integrated tribal development officer (Chandrapur) Vikas Rachelwar reiterated that control and management of all govt hostels will remain with the tribal development dept. He urged students, parents and citizens to not believe rumours about privatisation of tribal hostels.
