BC Leader Threatens Statewide Agitation Over Fee Reimbursement Scheme Cuts

Hyderabad: Backward classes leader R. Krishnaiah has issued a stark warning to the state government, threatening to mobilise large-scale demonstrations if the fee reimbursement scheme is altered or dismantled.

Speaking at a gathering of BC student, youth, and welfare organisations in Basheerbagh on Sunday, Krishnaiah said his groups would escalate their campaign across rural areas should the scheme face any dilution. He announced that in June, approximately 5 lakh students would converge on the Chief Minister's official residence in protest.

Krishnaiah characterised the reimbursement scheme as vital for enabling economically disadvantaged students to pursue education. He contended that the government was working towards eliminating the scheme and called for its immediate preservation in its current form.

The BC leader also pressed for the clearance of outstanding payments and the revocation of Government Order No. 7. He cautioned that non-compliance would result in demonstrations at the offices of state ministers and legislators.

Reflecting on his activism over the years, Krishnaiah recalled undertaking a hunger strike during Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy's tenure to establish the scheme. He noted that subsequent administrations led by K. Rosaiah and N. Kiran Kumar Reddy maintained the programme, as did K. Chandrashekar Rao's government.

Krishnaiah levelled criticism at the current administration for postponing fee reimbursement disbursals, saying students were enduring financial strain while the state incurred mounting debt. He further alleged that the government was prioritising expenditures elsewhere at the expense of education welfare initiatives.

The leader claimed to have identified irregularities in the scheme's implementation and said he intended to escalate the matter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He reiterated his position that education and healthcare must be delivered as free services and urged the administration to take swift action to safeguard student interests.