Overcrowded & in disrepair, ‘abhyasikas’ fail MPSC aspirants

Pune: Colourful boards announcing numerous ‘abhyasikas' or reading centres for students can never go unnoticed during a walk through Pune's old city areas. However, a closer look conveys a grim reality — most of the study spaces are housed in crumbling old buildings with poor sanitation, overcrowded rooms and barely enough space for students to juggle their books on common tables.Some centres are tucked away in basements. Despite a sharp increase in fees over the years, facilities in most ‘abhyasikas' have barely improved.
The conditions become unbearable in the scorching summer months and add to the woes of students.
President of Competitive Exams Students Association Mahesh Gharbude told TOI that last year, he had sent two letters to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). He had urged them to conduct a safety audit of the centres, where thousands of Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) aspirants gather to prepare for their future.
"PMC has taken no action till now. They only have knee-jerk reactions to a tragedy after it happens, instead of taking proactive measures," said Gharbude.
He pointed out several issues plaguing ‘abhyasikas' that serve MPSC aspirants. "Washrooms are in terrible conditions and water shortage worsens the situation during summers. Libraries in basements don't even have proper ventilation, making students feel suffocated."
The centres charge from Rs800 to 3,000 per person per month. "Even the expensive centres don't have required approvals from PMC's building permission department and no change of use certificates to convert residential properties into commercial ones. The buildings lack no-objection certificates (NOC) from the fire department, despite the fact that the centres are packed with students in small spaces."
Joint secretary of Yuva Sena Kalpesh Yadav has written a letter to the PMC commissioner. He said that many Pune reading centres, where thousands of students prepare for competitive exams, operate out of old and dilapidated buildings without requisite permissions or fire NOCs.
"In Delhi, students died when water suddenly entered a library in the basement. Even in Pune, many ‘abhyasikas' are located in low-lying and danger-prone zones. After the incident in Delhi, we expected that the state or PMC would issue related guidelines, but nothing happened. We have urged the civic body to conduct a fire audit of all such centres in the city, failing which we will protest in front of PMC headquarters and the centres," said Yadav.
Mahesh Bade, a student member of the Students' Rights Association, recounted sending a letter to PMC five years ago. He requested them to survey the living and studying conditions of MPSC aspirants in Pune.
Bade highlighted the overcrowding issue and noted that "thousands of students from across Maharashtra come to the city. They live and study in horrible conditions and nobody cares." He described cramped living spaces and study areas, with numerous students sharing small rooms and hundreds studying together in confined spaces.
Bade criticised the media and the state's fleeting attention to the issue and emphasised the need for sustained action. "PMC should appoint a committee to examine aspirants' living and studying conditions, and develop appropriate guidelines. Currently, owners of rooms where students live and also owners of the centres know nothing can harm them. They run it as a business," he said.
"Officials must visit the centres or else they won't understand how difficult it is to be packed in a room and study for hours together without even an exhaust fan. It negatively impacts students' health and well-being, compounding their existing exam-related stress and financial pressures," added Bade.
Additional municipal commissioner Prithviraj BP said ‘abhyasikas' operating without proper building permissions, change of use approvals or required certifications can be subjected to action under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act.
He said, "PMC will act against such ‘abhyasikas' which are reported or identified." Emphasising safety of students, Prithviraj said the department plans to address the issue of illegal study centres. "I urge student volunteers to report such places directly to my office," he added.