The YSR Congress avers that the hike in fees of engineering colleges would will lead to a high rate of drop-outs.
The YSR Congress complained about the state government "puncturing" the fee reimbursement scheme, "in tune with the policy of watering down YSR's policies", by increasing the fees of engineering colleges, and said that the move would will lead to a high rate of drop-outs, as the very spirit of the scheme is defeated.
"In the name of the cabinet sub-committee's report, the state government has hiked the fees by Rs. 19,000, which will be a burden on students belonging to weaker sections. The drop-out rate is bound to increase. We will take up an agitation to mount pressure on the state to restore the previous fee structure and carry out the fee reimbursement scheme sincerely," YSRCLP deputy leader Sobha Nagi Reddy told reporters on Wednesday.
"Y S Jaganmohan Reddy had earlier undertaken fasts and dharnas on the non-implementation of the fee reimbursement scheme, and we will continue the fight until the state reverses its decision on the fee hike to Rs. 50,000. Though the state is assuring that loans will be provided for the additional (increased) fees, we know how effective the loan disbursement is, with farmers, weavers and women queuing up but not receiving these loans," she said.
"The chief minister, cabinet ministers and Congress MLAs have said, on many occasions, that YSR's schemes will not be tapered down, and they should now categorically give an explanation on this hike in fees. The state has gone back on YSR's promises on Arogyasri, pensions, free power, taxes, power tariff and many other issues," she said.
She said that opposition leader N Chandrababu Naidu, who, according to her, is making tall claims about his commitment to BC welfare, did not make his opinion on the reimbursement scheme clear, despite the fact that 50% of the beneficiaries are BCs.
"MIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi told the state Assembly that minorities and other BCs were benefitting from the fee reimbursement scheme, and thanked YSR for introducing the scheme, besides slamming TDP for its false claims saying that students of marginalised sections were paid a paltry Rs. 300," she said.
"If weaker sections get into professional courses, they generate revenue, which will add to the economic growth of the state. The state government's move to hike the fees is a regressive step, and we oppose this tooth and nail," she said.
Regarding the KG Basin gas issue, Shobha Nagi Reddy brushed aside the TDP's charge that the gas diversion from KG basin to the Ratnagiri power plant in Maharashtra was taken in 2008 when YSR was the chief minister.
"If that is the case, why did the TDP, as constructive opposition party, not raise its voice then? In fact, the agreements and deals with Reliance were signed during the TDP's term," she said.
"YSR has reversed some the terms TDP and Reliance had agreed to on the rights of the distribution of gas. While TDP looked after the interests of the corporates, YSR put the state's interest above commercial propositions, and was firm on the stand that the gas should be first used locally," she claimed.
Reiterating that party honorary president Y S Vijayamma did not meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi during her Delhi trip, she said that certain people were trying to spread rumours. She added that if the TDP proves that Vijayamma did indeed meet Sonia Gandhi, all of YSRC's MLAs would quit; and if it fails to do so, TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu must resign. (INN)