Gurukul gates locked: Ponnam directs Collectors to initiate action

Post Dasara holidays, Gurukuls and colleges were opened across the State. However, at a few places, the building owners locked the gates demanding the government to clear pending rents.

Hyderabad: BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar directed the district Collectors to initiate action as per law against those who locked the gates of Gurukuls at different places in protest against delay in payment of rents.

Post Dasara holidays, Gurukuls and colleges were opened across the State. However, at a few places, the building owners locked the gates demanding the government to clear pending rents.

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The BC Welfare Minister while speaking to media persons here on Tuesday found fault with the building owners. He said nearly 70 percent of the gurukuls and colleges were being operated from rented buildings.

The accumulated pending rents were due for a long time and do not pertain to the last 10 months alone. Already, the delay in payment of rents was discussed with Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, he said.

The Minister wanted the building owners not to get influenced by vested groups’ campaigns and asked them to clear the posters put up at the gates.

If any attempts were made to disrupt schools and colleges functioning, stern action would be initiated as per law. Already, arrears and mess charges have been cleared three days back, he said.

“Gurukul Principals should lodge complaints with police, if building owners lock the gates. I am also directing the district Collectors to initiate action against such people,” Ponnam Prabhakar said, instructing the officials to look for alternate buildings to operate the schools and colleges without any interruption.