Maharashtra government has decided to open 100 residential schools across the state for students from backward castes from June this year, Maharashtra minister for social justice Shivajirao Moghe said here.

"The decision of the state government to launch about 300 residential schools in Maharashtra was pending since 2006-07 since there was a difference of opinion on opening these schools due to staff crunch and the premises where it will be run," Moghe, who is also the district guardian minister, said on Sunday.

"Chavan, during his 100 days in office, agreed to a proposal from our ministry to run 100 schools from the next academic session on whatever premises the social justice department acquires," he said.

Moghe said in order to make the caste validity certification process speedy, the state government has increased the strength of its committee members from present seven to 15.

The committee is entrusted with the tedious job of scrutiny of caste certificates of 99 lakh students from SC, 1.10 crores from VJNT and three crores from other backward class (OBC), the minister said.