Sunetra Pawar Appointed to Lead Minority Research Institute

New MRTI Governing Board Formed After Nearly 18 Months

The Maharashtra government has appointed Deputy Chief Minister and Minority Affairs Minister Sunetra Pawar as chairperson of the governing board of the Minority Research and Training Institute (MRTI), nearly a year and a half after the institute was established.

Minister of State for Minority Development Madhuri Misal has been appointed as the vice-chairperson. The newly formed governing board also includes secretaries from the Social Justice, Other Backward Classes and Bahujan Welfare, and Minority Development departments.

The appointments were announced by the state government on Monday and are expected to help move the institute's work forward.

MRTI Established to Support Minority Communities

The Minority Research and Training Institute was established in 2024 to conduct research and provide training opportunities for members of minority communities. Its planned activities include competitive examination preparation, skill development and research on issues affecting disadvantaged groups.

However, the institute has faced concerns over funding and the delay in starting its training programs.

MLA Rais Shaikh Seeks Higher Funding for MRTI

Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh welcomed the formation of the governing board but called on the state government to provide MRTI with funding comparable to other research and training institutions.

Shaikh said institutes such as the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Research and Training Institute (BARTI), Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Research, Training and Human Development Institute (SARTHI), and Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Research and Training Institute (MAHAJYOTI) receive significant financial support for education and skill-development programs.

According to Shaikh, BARTI, SARTHI and MAHAJYOTI receive around Rs 300 crore each annually and provide competitive examination and skill-development training to about 20,000 students through each institution.

MRTI Received Rs 6 Crore Initial Allocation

Shaikh said MRTI received an initial allocation of Rs 6 crore when it was established. He claimed that the institute has not made significant progress over the past 18 months and that its training programs have yet to begin.

He also raised concerns over the delay in MRTI's registration under the Companies Act.

Call for Faster Launch of Training Programs

Shaikh urged Sunetra Pawar to use her role as Minority Affairs Minister to ensure that MRTI receives adequate financial support and begins its planned programs soon.

He said the institute should receive funding on a level similar to other state-supported research and training organizations. He also called for faster implementation so that students and members of minority communities can benefit from competitive examination preparation, skill development and research initiatives.

The formation of the governing board marks an important administrative step for MRTI. With senior government officials now part of its leadership structure, attention is expected to turn toward funding, registration and the launch of its long-awaited programs.