By The Hindu Bureau

Copyright thehindu

The incumbent Congress government should not repeat the mistake committed by the Bharat Rashtra Samithi government on pending reimbursement of tuition fees (RTF) to students, said leaders of Backward Classes welfare association, who expressed their full support to associations planning to launch an indefinite strike to pressure the State government.

“The government should remember that this scheme was brought during the Congress rule. It should take note of the plight of 22 lakh students who remain stranded due to non-release of ₹8,000 crore in arrears in the last four years,” its national president Jajula Srinivas Goud said.

As per the Congress’ Kamareddy Declaration, the government must pay the full fee to all BC students. But a failure to honour it will lead to intensified movement, they said, adding that the reimbursement of dues is not a problem of the private college managements, but that of lakhs of students.

National BC Welfare Association president R. Krishnaiah, along with a large number of supporters, protested outside the office of Telangana Council of Higher Education, Masab Tank, demanding immediate disbursal of RTF dues.

“CM A. Revanth Reddy announces ₹1.5 lakh crore for Musi beautification and ₹1 lakh crore for Fourth City. But there is no money to clear RTF dues. Is this not negligence of the education sector?” he wondered and alleged that dues of contractors were being cleared on priority over students’ crucial need.

The government’s lukewarm response on the issue would only snowball into a bigger movement soon, Mr. Krishnaiah warned.