Has Maharashtra Formed Anti-Ragging Committees in Medical Colleges?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Maharashtra establishes anti-ragging committees in medical colleges.
- Regular reviews will ensure compliance with anti-ragging regulations.
- 50 complaints of ragging were reported, with serious attention given to each case.
- Child marriage initiatives are underway under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.
- Dedicated officers appointed to combat child marriage effectively.
Mumbai, July 10 (NationPress) In a decisive effort to combat ragging, Maharashtra's Minister of Medical Education, Hasan Mushrif, has announced the establishment of anti-ragging committees within government medical colleges. These committees will conduct regular reviews to ensure effective measures are in place.
The Directorate of Medical Education periodically issues advisories to all government medical colleges, urging them to enhance anti-ragging protocols through dean-level committees. This initiative follows a query from member Saroj Ahire in the state Assembly regarding the government's actions against ragging.
Minister Mushrif highlighted that the National Medical Commission has introduced the National Medical Commission (Prevention and Prohibition of Ragging in Medical Colleges and Institutions) Regulations, 2021, aimed at addressing ragging nationwide.
During the period of 2022-2024, the Maharashtra University of Health Services recorded 50 complaints of ragging via the National Anti-Ragging portal, which have been taken seriously by the university.
Furthermore, Minister Mushrif confirmed that the state government has not received the report from the Society Against Violence in Education regarding complaints of ragging linked to the Maharashtra University of Health Services. Importantly, no fatalities were reported in connection with the 50 complaints, which included 41 general and nine serious cases.
In a related matter, Maharashtra's Minister of Public Health, Prakash Abitkar, responded in writing about 14 pregnancy cases stemming from child marriage, with seven deliveries recorded between April 2024 and March 2025 in Beed district. These cases were documented by the Centre’s Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Portal. The Public Health Department has reached out to various health organizations to take action under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.
Minister Abitkar mentioned that gram sevaks in all gram panchayats are now designated as anti-child marriage officers, with anganwadi sevikas assisting them. In urban settings, child development project officers have been appointed as anti-child marriage officers, supported by anganwadi supervisors as assistant officers. A child protection cell has also been established in every district.