Harish Rao alleges G.O. 97 is 'privatisation' of polytechnic colleges; detained on way to protest
Hanamkonda, Telangana: BRS Legislature Party deputy leader T. Harish Rao has alleged that the Congress government's decision to merge polytechnic education with the Young India Skill University (YISU) through G.O. 97 is tantamount to privatising government polytechnic colleges. He made the remarks while meeting a group of students from Warangal Government Polytechnic who met him in Hanamkonda on Thursday and apprised him of their ongoing agitation against the order.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Rao was detained by the police and shifted to the Subedari police station while he was on his way to the protest site of the polytechnic students in the city. Despite the detention, he later met the students. The students have been demonstrating against G.O. 97, which provides for the integration of polytechnic education with YISU, a university being established under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.
Mr. Rao alleged that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, who also holds the education portfolio, was jeopardising the academic careers of polytechnic students by issuing G.O. 97. He claimed that the order was detrimental to polytechnic education. Merging government polytechnic colleges with YISU, he said, would virtually privatise the institutions. "The decision has put the future of polytechnic students at stake," he added.
The BRS leader also accused the Congress party of adopting double standards towards student movements led by Gen Z in Telangana. He questioned why Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had not visited the state when polytechnic students were agitating against G.O. 97 and other student organisations were protesting over pending fee reimbursement dues. Mr. Rao demanded immediate withdrawal of G.O. 97 and continuation of polytechnic colleges under government control to safeguard the interests and careers of students.
Earlier, Mr. Rao visited the dharna camp of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Telangana employees, teachers and pensioners at the Collectorate. He extended support to their agitation for fulfilment of their demands, including the release of six pending dearness allowances and implementation of the Pay Revision Commission (PRC).
The protest against G.O. 97 has become a major issue in the state, with opposition parties and student organisations accusing the government of trying to privatise technical education. The state government has not yet issued an official response to Mr. Rao's allegations. YISU is being set up with the aim of providing skill-based training, and the government has projected it as a step towards enhancing youth employability. However, the merger of existing polytechnic colleges with this university has raised concerns among students and opposition parties about the future of public technical education in Telangana.
The issue of pending fee reimbursement has been a long-standing grievance for student organisations in Telangana. Several groups have been holding protests, demanding that the government release funds to colleges. Mr. Rao, in his meeting with the polytechnic students, linked these issues, accusing the government of neglecting student welfare.
The BRS, as the principal opposition party in the state, has been vocal in its opposition to G.O. 97. The party has argued that the merger is a step towards the privatisation of government colleges. Mr. Rao's detention and subsequent meeting with the students are likely to sharpen the political debate.
The state government is yet to clarify its position on the allegations made by Mr. Rao. Officials have not issued any statement so far. The students, meanwhile, have indicated that their protest will continue until the order is withdrawn.
