Withdraw GO 7 Or Face Statewide Protests: KTR

BRS working president K T Rama Rao today strongly condemned the Telangana government for "a grave injustice" to nearly 14 lakh students from the BC, SC, ST and minority communities through GO 7.

In a detailed letter addressed to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, KTR alleged that GO 7 was a dark and deliberate attempt to dismantle the fee reimbursement scheme, which had been a crucial support system enabling access to higher education for economically weaker sections.

He said that the move would deprive lakhs of poor students of higher education opportunities, and push their futures into uncertainty.

Speaking about the financial distress in the education sector, the BRS leader said that the State government had failed to clear fee reimbursement dues amounting to nearly Rs 10,000 crore over the past two-and-a-half years. He said that that had severely impacted over 2,500 educational institutions, with colleges struggling to function and students facing difficulties in accessing certificates and continuing their education.

He also criticised the government for "misleading" stakeholders through committees, token releases and delayed assurances, instead of addressing the core issue of pending dues.

KTR also expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of residential educational institutions, and alleged administrative negligence in ensuring basic facilities for students.

He said that the BRS would not remain a silent spectator if the government continued to undermine the future of students, and would take up Statewide protests.

"If the student community is forced to take to the streets, the government will be held accountable for the consequences," he added, and demanded the immediate withdrawal of GO 7, and a public apology by the CM to the student community.