Bogus claims in respect of the fee reimbursement are worrying the N Kiran Kumar Reddy government which has been so obviously facing a funds crunch.
The state government is contemplating to go for initiating criminal charges against those who made double claims towards fee reimbursement. The claims were allegedly made for over 4,200 students. Stating this to media persons at the Secretariat on Friday, Social Welfare Minister Pitani Sayanarayana said that the development and welfare of the poor is like two eyes to the government.
“The state government will implement more than what was stipulated and promised,” said the Minister. “The government is well aware of the welfare of the underprivileged classes’ students and would meet their demand as scheduled and as per the directive of the Supreme Court, Mr Satyanarayan added.
However, the Ministers words belie the fact that there has delay in the remittances schedule due to financial constraints which the government was sidelining under one pretext of the other despite opposition raising awkward questions. For this reason there was an attempt by the government to revamp the ‘fee’ payment process.
In the backdrop of revamping the tuition fee reimbursement in order to reduce the burden on the state, the government is also buying time and was vacillating on the burning issue.
In this background the government faced another tough rival in Kadapa leader YS Jaganmohan Reddy who questioned and criticized the inordinate delay in remitting the fee to the college managements.
Replying to a question, the Minister clarified that the government was committed to implementing the pet programmes of former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy. Apparently pointing out at Mr Jaganmohan Reddy, the Minister appealed for introspection and check up of the facts before criticizing the fee issue.
Mr Satyanarayana also was categorical in condemning the comments made by the Kadapa leader and sought to clarify that YSR’s welfare schemes were being continued without any hitch.
He however skirted the crucial issue of funds to meet the requirement.
“The government was trying to bring in the clause of FRBM, Funds Regulatory and Business Management which specified that overdrafts or borrowings could not be made after reaching the limit. But it serves the government purpose to claim from the Centre, which will sanction funds to the state as per the requirement.
Mr Satyanarayana was accompanied by three other ministers, BC Welfare Basavaraju Sariah, Tribal Welfare Pasupuleti Blaraj and Minorities' Welfare Syed Ahmedullah.