Harish Rao raises concern over plight of students in Gurukul schools, urges clearance of pending bills

Former Minister and senior BRS MLA T Harish Rao questioned the Congress government about delayed mess bills, unpaid salaries for outsourcing staff, and insufficient hostel maintenance funds

Hyderabad: Former Minister and senior BRS MLA T Harish Rao criticised the Congress government over alleged mismanagement in Gurukul residential welfare schools and government schools. Highlighting critical gaps in governance, he called for urgent action to address the challenges faced by students in welfare hostels and schools.

Participating in a short discussion on “Providing of infrastructure facilities in Gurukulams and government schools” in the Assembly on Wednesday, Harish Rao raised concerns over the plight of students and pathetic conditions in the residential welfare schools and government schools. He questioned the Congress government about delayed mess bills, unpaid salaries for outsourcing staff, and insufficient hostel maintenance funds. He also highlighted poor infrastructure, including a lack of cooking equipment, geysers, and winter essentials like blankets.

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He reminded the past achievements under former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao‘s leadership, noting the establishment of 819 Gurukuls, up from 203 before 2014, and the increase in student numbers from 2–3 lakh to 10 lakh. He credited the BRS government for introducing overseas scholarships, expanding medical colleges from 5 to 35, and implementing the Mana Ooru–Mana Badi programme for school development among others. He urged the government to continue the breakfast scheme initiated by Chandrashekhar Rao.

The BRS legislator criticised the Chief Minister for neglecting SC, ST, and Minority departments under his charge. He pointed out that due to delay in the Cabinet expansion and absence of a dedicated Minister, there was no constant monitoring on the functioning of the residential welfare schools and government schools.

Harish Rao reported tragic incidents in Gurukuls, including a student in Survel suffering severe burns after the warden made her to cook food and another in Korutla bitten by a snake. He revealed that 54 students died in last one year due to preventable causes like food poisoning and electric shocks. He demanded that the government pay Rs 10 lakh ex gratia for their families.

The former Minister called for immediate payment of dues, better hostel facilities, and increased salaries for mid-day meal workers. He urged the government to address strikes by Samagra Shiksha Abhiyaan and CRP teachers and ensure timely fee reimbursements and regularisation of guest lecturers.

“The Congress government must prioritise students’ welfare and revive the progressive policies initiated under K Chandrashekhar Rao’s tenure, to perform better,” he asserted. He demanded accountability and immediate corrective measures to restore trust in the State’s education system.