‘State coming up with lame excuses on fee reimbursement'

CPI secretary K. Narayana demands release of dues immediately

CPI State secretary K. Narayana participating in a protest programme organised by the All India Youth Federation demanding reimbursement of tuition fee in Vijayawada on Monday. Photo: Ch.Vijaya Bhaskar

CPI State secretary K. Narayana has found fault with the State government for trying to ‘divert' the issue of its failure in reimbursement of tuition fee. The Government had completely failed in releasing funds in time, but it was trying to come up with ‘lame excuses' to further delay the issue, which was causing anxiety among students, he said here on Monday.

Mr. Narayana was addressing a half-naked protest organised by the activists of All India Youth Federation (AIYF) at the Sub-Collector's office demanding the Government to release the fee reimbursement dues immediately.

He said instead of ensuring speedy release of funds, the Government was indulging in ‘blackmail' by talking of “bogus colleges and students”.

The Government could single out such colleges and release the amount. “Why did the State administration remain indifferent when there were reports of existence of bogus colleges and students?” he asked, adding that the Government was trying to rake up the issue of bogus engineering colleges only to divert the main issue.

Mr. Narayana alleged that the Congress leadership in the State, including K. Rosaiah who served as Finance Minister, remained silent when the then Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy announced the scheme. Did this mean that ministers had no idea of the expenditure for fee reimbursement when Dr. Reddy introduced the scheme, he sought to know.

Dr. Narayana said former MP Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy was receiving wide response to his dharna only because the issue was a burning one. AIYF city unit general secretary N. Sambasiva Rao and others were present.

Addressing a press conference earlier, he held the Congress high command responsible for the ongoing political turmoil and crisis over Telangana issue. He alleged that the Congress sowed the seeds for separate Telangana movement and nurtured it deliberately. It was caught between devil and deep sea. The Congress was facing a political bankruptcy and the leadership had no clarity of thought.

Dr. Narayana wanted the Congress to spell out its stance on these issues or announce that the movement was “unlawful”. “Political solution is the only way out to contain the Telangana movement,” he said.