Telangana govt to credit ₹2,400 crore fee reimbursement in advance, says CM

The Telangana government has decided to deposit funds earmarked for fee reimbursement in advance from the current academic year, aiming to prevent college managements from withholding certificates of students over delayed fee payments.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy announced that ₹2,400 crore will be credited into the accounts of students, with ₹250 crore released as an advance payment. The government has earmarked an annual allocation of ₹2,300 crore towards reimbursement of fees paid by students.

Speaking at a meeting organised to unveil statues of social reformers Mahatma Jyothirao Phule and Savitri Phule on Friday, Mr. Reddy said the government has introduced major reforms in the education sector to cleanse it, including a breakfast scheme for students from nursery level onwards.

He urged students to apply online for fee reimbursement so that the amounts could be deposited directly into their accounts. However, he noted that obtaining certificates for engineering and medicine courses alone would not suffice in the competitive era, stressing the need for students to acquire skills essential for present-day job requirements. He pointed out that skill development has become imperative as IT professionals are losing jobs and returning to the country.

The Chief Minister outlined several government initiatives, including the upgradation of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) into Advanced Technology Centres (ATCs) in collaboration with the Tata Group. Students enrolled in these centres receive a stipend of ₹2,000 per month. The ATCs are designed to impart skill development courses along with technical expertise to enhance employability.

In his address, Mr. Reddy criticised the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government for its claims on promoting traditional vocations over education. He alleged that the previous government was against students from weaker sections and marginalised communities pursuing education, as it could lead to them staking claim in power. “They want their children to enjoy power leaving backward classes and other sections to their fate,” he said.

He also recalled the Congress government’s initiative in resolving the decades-old Scheduled Caste categorisation issue and conducting a caste census to ascertain the Backward Classes (BC) population. He noted that former Chief Ministers and Ministers opposed the caste census, but the Congress government completed the enumeration of backward classes within a year. “Telangana is the first and last State to take up and complete BC census,” he said, adding that the census was mandated to provide their due share in employment opportunities.

Mr. Reddy outlined various initiatives taken since the present government came to power and sought the cooperation of backward classes for its continuation. “You will not get such an opportunity again. Allow this government to continue,” he urged.

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka reiterated the government’s resolve to work for protecting and enhancing the self-respect of weaker and marginalised sections. He said the inauguration of the statues of Jyotiba Phule and Savitri Phule was indicative of the government’s commitment to their welfare. “The government is ensuring translation of Mahatma Phule’s ideals into action without confining just to words,” he asserted.

He also noted that although courts had reminded several times about the need for enumeration of backward classes, previous governments could not muster the courage to conduct it. He said the Congress government was the only one to take up socio-economic, education, employment, political and caste census in a scientific manner, setting a benchmark for the country. He added that the survey, which revealed the BC population at 56%, would be implemented accordingly.