KCR pushed students into depression: Uttam

Hyderabad, Oct 27 (INN): Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has alleged that Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao has pushed nearly 14 lakh students into depression by not clearing their Fee Reimbursement dues.

Addressing a massive meeting organised by NSUI and Youth Congress at L.B. Nagar crossroads on Thursday, Uttam Kumar Reddy said that overwhelming response to Congress party's signature campaign on Fee Reimbursement issue clearly shows the frustration and anger of students' community against the TRS Government. He said that KCR has broken the rhythm of academic career of lakhs of students across Telangana State. Instead of displaying the zeal for higher studies, students and their parents are now focussed only on clearance of Fee Reimbursement dues. Several students and their parents are in depression and the situation would turn worse if State Government delays the payment further, he said.

Uttam Kumar Reddy also alleged that the State Government was on the verge of bankruptcy as it has no money to pay for students, farmers or poor patients. However, KCR is ensuring regular payments to the contractors of Mission Bhagaritha to get his commission. "KCR is not aware of students' power. They have the capacity to dethrone any government. Therefore, KCR should treat this agitation as open warning," he said.

The TPCC chief said that the government owes nearly Rs. 3,600 crore towards Fee Reimbursement dues to private colleges. Despite giving an assurance in Assembly, KCR failed to keep his words. "By not fulfilling the promise, KCR has proved that he has no respect for Assembly or the post of the Chief Minister. People of Telangana are closely watching the sufferings of over 14 lakh students and their parents and also the plight of about 2.5 lakh employees who did not get their salaries for the last 4-6 months. Further delay in clearing Fee Reimbursement dues will prove too costly for KCR and his party," he said.

Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the State Cabinet's directions to Chief Secretary to clear Fee Reimbursement dues were nothing but farce and an eye-wash to divert attention from Congress party's ongoing agitation. He threatened to intensify the agitation if the State Government delays the payment further.

Speaking on the occasion, Congress Legislature Party leader K. Jana Reddy said that the Congress party would not remain a mute spectator to the sufferings of students' community. He said that the party did not enter into agitation mode earlier as it wanted to given an opportunity to the new government to settle down. However, he said that the Congress party was not willing to trust the TRS Government as it was implementing anti-student policies.

The meeting was also addressed by AICC Secretary R.C. Khuntia, SC Department Chairman Koppula Raju, Leader of Opposition in Council Shabbir Ali, TPCC Working President Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, MLA Vamshi Chandreddy, ex-MLAs Sudhir Reddy and Bhikshapati Goud, ex-union minister Balram Naik, former ministers P. Sabitha Indira Reddy, G. Prasad Kumar, NSUI State unit president B. Venkat, Youth Congress president Anil Kumar Yadav and other senior leaders also addressed the meeting.

Several students also addressed the meetings explaining the difficulties being faced by them due to non-clearances of Fee Reimbursement dues by the government.