Harish Rao blames Congress for 42 student deaths in Telangana residential welfare schools

Harish Rao, while releasing a list of students who died in residential welfare schools, criticized the Congress government for the deteriorating conditions in institutions initially established by the BRS government to ensure quality education. He condemned the government's indifference to the tragic deaths and demanded accountability, urging the immediate announcement of ₹10 lakh as ex-gratia for each bereaved family.

Hyderabad: Former Minister and senior BRS MLA T Harish Rao blamed the Congress government for the deaths of 42 students in 11 months this year, due to gross negligence in managing residential welfare schools in Telangana. He said the students lost their lives due to either food poisoning or suicides, terming these incidents as “government killings”.

Releasing the list of students who died in residential welfare schools, Harish Rao said the prestigious residential welfare schools established by the previous BRS government to provide quality education for students, had turned into hell under the Congress rule. It was shameful that despite these deaths, the government remained indifferent, he said, demanding that the government take responsibility and immediately announce an ex-gratia of Rs.10 lakh for each bereaved family.

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Citing recent incidents, the senior legislator pointed to the tragic case of a student from Sangareddy BC girls residential welfare school who died by suicide, another from Wankidi who was on ventilator support for 17 days at NIMS and also the suicide of another student at IIIT-Basara. “Who is responsible for these deaths?” he asked, questioning the government’s inaction.

Harish Rao charged Chief Minister Revanth Reddy with failing to act despite lofty promises. “The Chief Minister promises the moon in his speeches, but he cannot even manage the existing hostels effectively. On Children’s Day, he spoke about improving the quality of meals in residential welfare schools, but nothing has been done,” he said.

The former Minister expressed deep concern over the deterioration of Gurukul institutions, which he said were once considered role models under the previous BRS government. “These institutions, meant to shape the future of our students, have now turned into hellholes due to the neglect of the Congress government,” he remarked, blaming the mismanagement of key departments such as education, welfare, tribal, and minority welfare.

Harish Rao also criticised the Congress government for its failure to address issues in IIIT-Basara, where three student deaths have been reported in the last one year. “How many more children need to lose their lives before the Chief Minister takes action?” he questioned. He urged the Congress government to prioritise the safety and well-being of students in Telangana.