Hyderabad: Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao on Thursday threatened to intensify the party’s agitation unless the Congress government immediately cleared pending fee reimbursement dues and student scholarships.
Rao alleged that nearly 20 lakh students across Telangana were awaiting fee reimbursement and scholarship payments. He warned that the BJP would continue its agitation until the government cleared the pending amounts.
The BJP president issued the warning while addressing the BJYM-led “Fee Bakayi – BJP Ladayi” Maha Dharna in Karimnagar. Rao accused the Revanth Reddy government of failing to fulfil its election promises concerning welfare measures and the youth.
Fee reimbursement dues affecting colleges, BJP alleges
Rao said the state government had decided to release Rs 2,000 crore towards fee reimbursement after a High Court reprimand. However, he alleged that the government had not released the amount so far. The delay in clearing fee reimbursement dues was also affecting educational institutions, he claimed.
According to Rao, pending payments had created difficulties for college managements. He said the financial strain had also affected payment of faculty salaries and the regular functioning of educational institutions.
The BJP leader warned that the party would build a stronger student movement if the government continued to delay payments. He maintained that the BJP would not withdraw its agitation until students received the pending benefits.
BJYM threatens collectorate sieges over fee reimbursement dues
BJYM state president Ganesh Kunde also criticised the government over the issue. He alleged that police notices issued to college managements and students were intended to suppress growing student unrest.
Kunde warned that the agitation could be escalated to sieges of district collectorates if the government failed to address the demands. He also demanded Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s resignation if the administration failed to clear the fee reimbursement dues.
Thousands of students and youth participated in the Karimnagar protest, according to the organisers.
Several BJP leaders also joined the demonstration. They included state vice-president Shanthi Kumar, district president Saini Mallesham, Mayor Srinivas and Deputy Mayor Sunil Rao. Former MLA Bodiga Shobha also participated in the protest.
Rao reiterated that the BJP would intensify its campaign until the government released the pending fee reimbursement and scholarship amounts. He said the party would continue pressing the government over the financial difficulties faced by students and educational institutions.