Praja Rajyam president K. Chiranjeevi met Chief Minister K. Rosaiah in the Secretariat on Saturday to seek immediate action by the government to resolve two major problems facing the student community.
He also sought payment of compensation to farmers for the extensive damage caused to crops and fruit orchards in the recent hailstorm in 11 districts. He estimated the loss at over Rs. 400 crore.
Mr. Chiranjeevi told the Chief Minister that he was highly disappointed by the government's decision to reduce the intake of students in the three IIITs this year from 6,000 to 3,000. It would deprive the students with rural background of a golden opportunity to get good education which would make them employable globally.
The PR president referred to the non-release of scholarships, tuition fee reimbursements and mess/hostel charges to students belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, backward classes and other weaker sections, saying these students were undergoing mental agony at a time when examinations were close by. He requested the Chief Minister to take steps for immediate disbursal of the money due to the students.
Positive response
Speaking to reporters later, Mr. Chiranjeevi said the Chief Minister had responded positively and assured him that these problems would be immediately addressed.
