Latur, Jun 21 (PTI) While the CBI’s arrest of three local figures in the NEET leak case brought the coaching class ecosystem in Latur under the scanner, stakeholders say a sharp decline in admissions this year is being driven more by rumours spread on social media than the high-profile case.
The city is home to nearly 300 hostels and several dependent businesses, catering to 70,000 to 80,000 Class 12 students from other districts, and has long been regarded as one of Maharashtra’s premier centres for competitive examination preparation.
The CBI last month arrested Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar, founder of city-based Renukai Career Centre, retired professor PV Kulkarni, and Dr Manoj Shirure, in connection with the NEET paper leak case.
Traders, hostel owners and coaching class representatives say the sector has been facing challenges, with the situation worsening this academic season.
According to stakeholders, larger concerns arise from a Zilla Udyog Kendra (District Industries Centre) directive ordering the immediate closure of all commercial activities running illegally in industrial sheds allotted for manufacturing within the Latur Industrial Estate Co-operative Society.
This, coupled with the government’s mandatory biometric attendance policy for junior college students, has created uncertainty among parents. Furthermore, delayed monsoon rains and fears of drought-like conditions have also adversely affected admission decisions, they said.
Talking to PTI, Nitin Pawar, president of the hostel association in Latur, noted that admissions for Class 12 students have declined by nearly 40 per cent this academic year only because of news spread on social media defaming the Latur pattern and the government’s decision to install biometric machines at all junior colleges for students’ attendance.
He said many hostels and related establishments were built using bank loans, while others function from rented premises, placing owners under financial stress due to the fear.
“Business has become increasingly difficult due to the current situation in the coaching classes area. I made a stock of cold drinks in May expecting the usual rush of students, but a significant portion of the stock remains unsold,” said Manoj Fawde, who runs a cafe in the area.
Raghuvir Godbharle, vice-president of a hostel association and owner of two hostels in the area, claimed that protests by some social organisations over the NEET paper leak led to the cancellation of nearly 27 admissions at his facilities in the last month.
Latur is home to more than 150 coaching classes, and of these, only seven to eight can be categorised as large-budget coaching establishments, said Vikas Kadam, state executive president of the Professional Teachers’ Association.
“The NEET paper leak case and RCC’s owner Shivraj Motegaonkar’s arrest have not directly impacted admissions. The greater damage was caused by rumours and misinformation circulating on social media following the administration’s issued order of closure of commercial activities in the area,” he claimed.
Parents began questioning whether coaching institutes and hostels would continue to operate, Kadam said.
He noted that for years, Latur remained a preferred coaching destination for students from other districts. However, social media posts and speculations about official developments created apprehension among parents.
“Negative publicity surrounding Latur inadvertently benefited coaching centres in other districts, giving them an opportunity to attract students who would traditionally have come here,” he said. PTI COR ARU
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