PDSU lays siege to Bhatti, Thummala offices over Rs. 8,200 crore student dues

PDSU activists laid siege to the offices of Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka and Minister Thummala in Khammam, demanding clearance of Rs.8,200 crore in dues. Police detained the protestors, while leaders warned of larger agitations if issues remain unresolved

Khammam: Activists of the Progressive Democratic Students Union (PDSU) laid siege to the offices of Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and Minister Thummala Nageswara Rao here on Thursday, demanding the immediate clearance of pending scholarship and fees reimbursement dues.

Tension prevailed briefly as police detained the protesting students and shifted them to the local police station.

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Speaking during the protest, PDSU district general secretary Vanguri Venkatesh called upon students to gear up for an uncompromising struggle against what he termed the Congress government’s negligence towards student welfare.

“The government, despite being in power for 18 months, has failed to address the issue. It must immediately release Rs.8,000 crore in pending scholarship and fees reimbursement dues, along with Rs.200 crore under the Best Available Schools scheme,” Venkatesh said.

He alleged that since coming to power, the Congress government had been taking anti-student decisions and ignoring student needs. Venkatesh demanded that mid-day meals be provided to students in government colleges and that free bus passes be issued to those studying in government institutions.

He also questioned why the government, which ensures timely salaries to public representatives, was showing an “empty hand” to students. With private educational institutions pressuring students to pay fees by withholding certificates, the burden had fallen squarely on students, he noted.

Warning of intensified agitations if dues are not cleared immediately, Venkatesh said large-scale protests would be launched across the State.