Pandit Vidyasagar, director, Board of Colleges and University Development (BCUD) in the University of Pune, said that although a large chunk of the funds will go into the setting up of new institutes, it would also benefit colleges with permanent affiliation with the University of Pune, such as S P College and Fergusson College, eligible to apply for the UGC grant. “Such colleges can apply for infrastructure enhancement, expansion and college for potential excellence,” he said.

P A Inamdar, president of Maharashtra Cosmopolitan Education Society (MCES), appreciated the government’s move to concentrate on higher education, which, he said, had been ignored over the last decade. “While it will take a lot of time for new institutes and universities to start functioning, the nine-fold hike will ensure state-of-the-art college facilities in Pune. There is a potential to further enhance the quality of government aided colleges in the city,” he said.

Inamdar added that although only 10 per cent of this money will go to existing colleges, if utilised properly, colleges could improve their infrastructure.

Principal-director of Symbiosis International University Vidya Yerawadekar too hailed the move. “This shows progressive signs for higher education,” she said.