Engineering aspirants from A.P. in a fix

Fee reimbursement in Telangana State gives parents the jitters

With the uncertainty prevailing over the eligibility of the students of Andhra Pradesh studying in Telangana for fee reimbursement scheme in that State, a majority of the parents and students are apprehensive about opting for engineering colleges in Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts during the EAMCET counselling.

The results were declared on June 9 and the counselling is likely to commence in July first week. But, most parents and students are yet to make up their mind over selecting the colleges. Confusion is reigning supreme as there is no clarity from the Telangana State government over the eligibility of students hailing from AP for fee reimbursement.

“Our careers are at stake as the issue, unfortunately, is being politicised by the governments of both the States,” says K. Panduranga Rao, a student, who plans to pursue engineering in Hyderabad. “It is high time that the authorities in both the States settle the issue so that we can exercise our options,” says Mr. Rao.

Utter confusion

This apart, another issue is gripping the parents. “Though many parents are willing to admit their wards in colleges in Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts, doubts still persist over the treatment they are likely to get from those hailing from Telangana,” says P. Narsimha Murthy, a parent, who plans to admit his daughter in architecture course in Hyderabad.

Despite presence of 370 engineering colleges in Andhra Pradesh, around 39,000 students pursue engineering and other courses at different colleges in Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts. Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University- Kakinada Vice-Chancellor G. Tulasi Ram Das admitted that there were several speculations among students. “Fee reimbursement, ascertaining local status of students for admissions and uncertainty , all these factors are giving parents the jitters. I feel a majority of the students will opt for the colleges in AP over those in Hyderabad,” says Mr. Das.

He further pointed out that perhaps this was the reason for why only five managements in Andhra Pradesh had applied for closing their colleges, despite the delay in reimbursement of fee by the united State. Most have applied for changing courses while a few others announced introduction of new courses, he adds.