MUMBAI, July 17 -- Hundreds of students from Maharashtra who have secured admission to universities in the United Kingdom under various state government scholarship schemes are facing uncertainty after a change in UK immigration rules. The new policy issued by UK Visas and Immigration states that only funding from national or federal governments will be accepted as official financial sponsorship for student visa applications. Support from state governments, including Maharashtra, will no longer qualify. The change affects students under scheduled caste, scheduled tribe, OBC, VJNT, SBC, minority and general category scholarship schemes. According to a representation by Nagpur-based socio-legal organisation The Platform, students holding scholarship approval letters now risk visa rejection. The organisation has written to the chief minister's office and the social justice, tribal development, minority development, other backward bahujan welfare departments and the directorate of technical education, seeking immediate intervention. It also said the annual maintenance allowance of £9,900 (Rs.12.85 lakh) falls short of the UK requirement of £13,761 (Rs.17.86 lakh) for nine-month courses in high-cost cities such as London. Students heading to the United States and Australia also face rising living costs. The Platform urged the state to coordinate with the Union government for national-level endorsement of scholarships, raise maintenance allowances and complete approvals and fund releases by May or June annually. "This is purely a technical and administrative gridlock that the Maharashtra government must resolve immediately," said Rajiv Khobragade, member of The Platform. Senior officials said they were unaware of the changes and would examine the policy and take appropriate measures....