Govt. to credit fee reimbursement amounts in advance to avoid hardship to students: CM

The State government decided to deposit funds earmarked for fee reimbursement in advance from this academic year so that there will not be any scope for the college managements to withhold certificates of students citing delays in fee payment.

It has accordingly been decided to credit ₹2,400 crore into the accounts of students and the government has earmarked ₹250 crore as advance payment in this direction. Announcing the government’s resolve to remove hardships faced by students due to inordinate delays in reimbursement of fees, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has affirmed that the government will credit ₹2,300 crore annually towards reimbursement of fee paid by students.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy at a public meeting after unveiling the statue of Mahatma Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule at HMDA grounds in Hyderabad on Friday.
| Photo Credit:
SIDDHANT THAKUR

He said the government has embarked upon major reforms in the education sector to completely cleanse it and has introduced facilities like breakfast to students right from the nursery levels. The Chief Minister was speaking at a meeting organised in connection with the unveiling of statues of social reformers Mahatma Jyothirao Phule and Savitri Phule here on Friday.

He exhorted students to apply online for fee reimbursement so that the amounts would be deposited into their accounts. But obtaining certificates pertaining to engineering and medicine courses would not suffice in the era of competition as students should gain skills that were essential to meet the present day job requirements. Skill development had become imperative as IT professionals were losing their jobs and returning to the country.

The government had therefore taken several initiatives, including upgradation of the ITIs into advanced technology centres in collaboration with the Tata Group ensuring payment of ₹2,000 a month stipend to students enrolled into them. The ATCs were imparting skill development courses along with technical expertise as a pre-requisite for enhancing employability of students.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy at a public meeting after unveiling the statue of Mahatma Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule at HMDA grounds in Hyderabad on Friday.
| Photo Credit:
SIDDHANT THAKUR

In this context, the Chief Minister took a dig at the BRS government for its claims on promoting traditional vocations not education. The previous government was against students from the weaker sections and marginalised communities to pursue education as it could result in their staking claim in power. “They want their children to enjoy power leaving backward classes and other sections to their fate,” he said.

He recalled how the Congress government took the initiative in resolving the decades old Scheduled Caste categorisation issue and had the courage to conduct caste census to ascertain the BC population. Former Chief Minister and Ministers opposed the caste census but the Congress government completed the enumeration of backward classes within a year. “Telangana is the first and last State to take up and complete BC census,” he said adding the census was mandated to provide their due share in employment opportunities.

Mr. Revanth Reddy outlined various initiatives taken since the inception of the present government and sought the cooperation of the backward classes in continuation of this government for their welfare. “You will not get such an opportunity again. Allow this government to continue,” he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka reiterated the government’s resolve to work for protecting and enhancing the self respect of weaker and marginalised sections. Inauguration of statues of Jyotiba Phule and Savitri Phule was indicative of the government’s commitment to work for the welfare of these sections. “The government is ensuring translation of Mahatma Phule’s ideals into action without confining just to words,” he averred. Though the courts had reminded several times about the need for enumeration of backward classes, the previous governments could not muster courage to conduct the same. The people-centred Congress government was the only one to take up socio, economic, education, employment, political and caste census in a scientific manner and set a benchmark for the country to follow. The survey results which revealed BC population at 56% would be implemented in the elections to local bodies.