Kolhapur: The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) norms do not allow students pursuing professional courses access to concessional bus passes.The norms put up by the state transport utility for concessional monthly passes do not include students pursuing modern professional courses. The subjects the state transport utility has not included are— nursing, pharmacy, handicraft, fashion designing, beautician, management studies, courses in computer education, Bachelor of Ayurveda Medicine and Information Technology. student , on the condition of anonymity, said, "When everyone is talking about skilled India, the state transport is acting against it. I have taken admission in the computer science stream in Waranagar. When I approached the MSRTC depot for concessional pass , I was told my course was not eligible for concession . I work at the Shiroli unit of Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC). I have to work hard to pay for my fees. My daily travel expense is around Rs 90. If I get a pass, I can save around Rs 1,600 per month. The situation has changed; students are exploring new career options rather than going for traditional courses. The state transport should include all new courses under concessional pass."Divisional controller of Kolhapur MSRTC Navneet Bhanap said, "The norms are decided by the central office of state transport corporation. Hence, we cannot offer concession pass for these courses. The state transport is reimbursed for these concessions. Norms should be changed at the central office level. However, we have requested the central office to include various professional courses under the concession pass. They are yet to respond."The situation is the same throughout the state. Due to privatisation of education, higher education has reached talukas. Students of rural areas have been exploring new career paths.Last year, on October, 26 college-goer Swati Pitale committed suicide for not having money for MSRTC concession passes.The Kolhapur city unit of National Students Union of India (NSUI) Parth Mundhe said, "Kolhapur is famous for quality education. Students often come from rural parts like Panahla, Gargoti, Radhanagari for higher education. The education pattern has also changed among the youth. Rural parents do not have adequate financial resources. The concession in travel can offer relief for the students. We will raise our voice against this injustice and force the state transport to include professional courses for pass concessions."GraphicNo monthly concession passes for:Nursing, Pharmacy, computer related courses, Handicraft, Fashion Designing, Management Studies, Midwifery, BAMS, B.sc (IT),The quote of divisional controller Navneet Bhanap"The norms related concessional passes are set by the central office. We have requested central office to change norms to include these courses in to list."

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