Supreme Court Justice Prasanna B. Varale said he has no issue with the massive funds earmarked for Maharashtra’s development projects, yet warned that diverting just 0.1% of that money could prevent the closure of dozens of Marathi‑medium schools. He also highlighted the tragic Gadchiroli residential school snakebite incident.

  • Only 0.1% of the Kumbh budget could keep hundreds of schools open
  • Gadchiroli school snakebite tragedy underscores rural education facility gaps
  • Declining education share in public budgets has forced many Marathi‑medium schools to shut

Supreme Court Justice Prasanna B. Varale addressed a gathering organised by a school in Shirpur, Dhule district, stating that he has “no objection” to the massive allocations Maharashtra is making for various development works.

He noted that the state has announced a projected outlay of roughly ₹32,000‑₹34,000 crore for the 2027 Simhastha Kumbh Mela at Nashik‑Trimbakeshwar, while a central‑approved highway corridor alone will cost about ₹11,000 crore.

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Historical Background

Kumbh festivals have historically been engines of economic activity, prompting governments to set aside special development funds. However, the share of the budget dedicated to education has steadily shrunk—from 8‑12% in the early 2010s to below 13% today—leaving school systems under‑funded.

Justice Varale argued that if merely 0.1% of these colossal sums—approximately ₹32 crore—were redirected to education, it could prevent the closure of an estimated 100‑125 Marathi‑medium schools across Maharashtra.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that diverting a minuscule portion of mega‑project funds to education could halt the alarming rise of school closures, preserving regional language instruction and curbing rural brain‑drain.

“Small investments in education can trigger massive social change, especially in underserved rural areas,” says education expert Dr. Sunita Pandey.

The justice also reflected on his own schooling, emphasizing that he completed his primary and secondary education entirely in Marathi medium through municipal and Zilla Parishad schools, and it never limited his opportunities.

He referenced the recent tragedy at a residential school in Gadchiroli, where inadequate facilities forced girls to sleep on the floor, leading to three deaths from snakebites and another child currently receiving treatment.

Did You Know?: Only about 2% of the Nashik Kumbh’s projected revenue is earmarked for education, despite the festival generating over 40% of local employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Is the government actually planning to re‑allocate this 0.1% to education?

A: No official decision has been announced yet, but Justice Varale’s remarks have sparked policy‑level discussions.

Q2: Which schools stand to benefit the most from such a re‑allocation?

A: Primarily rural Marathi‑medium schools facing financial distress and imminent closure would be prioritized.