Leaders and activists of the Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday staged a dharna to protest against the state government’s failure in releasing fee reimbursement arrears to those students who are pursuing their studies in private engineering colleges in the state.
Addressing the protestors who had gathered at Indira Park, BJP state unit president G Kishen Reddy alleged the government was trying to escape from its responsibilities and resorting to various methods to delay releasing the fee reimbursement arrears and pending scholarships.
Mr Kishen Reddy demanded that the government immediately release arrears of fee reimbursement and scholarships to all SC/ST/BC and Minority candidates as the college managements are forcing the parents and students to clear their dues.
He appealed to government to set up a permanent directorate to deal with reimbursement of fee and scholarships issues.
The BJP leader demanded that the government reimburse the fee of SC/ST students who got admission under management quota in private engineering colleges.
Mr Kishen Reddy further appealed to state government to allot enough funds in the upcoming budget for the welfare of students.
He warned the government that the BJP would intensify its protest across the state if the government failed to release fee reimbursement bills.
Mr Kishen Reddy charged that students are under immense mental pressure and are taking the extreme step of resorting to suicides since they are unable to pay their college fees.
Senior BJP leader Bandaru Dattatreya stated the government should release funds in a phased manner three times -- tuition fee, scholarships, mess bills --in a year by allotting them in the budget.
Part leader Bangaru Laxman was also present in the agitation.