Telangana: SC, ST students latest to be let down by Congress government

Revanth Reddy maintains strategic silence on financial assistance promised under Vidya Jyothulu scheme

HYDERABAD: After farmers, women, senior citizens and employees found that the Congress government failed to fulfil its promise made to them, it is now the turn of students, especially those from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, to realise the hollow speak of the ruling party.

Even after an academic year is over and results also declared, students were still waiting for an announcement from the government on the financial assistance promised under the Vidya Jyothulu scheme. The Congress, in its election manifesto, had promised to extend Rs 10,000 as financial assistance to each SC and ST student upon passing Class 10, Rs 15,000 for passing intermediate, Rs 25,000 for completing graduation and Rs 1 lakh for postgraduation. This apart, those completing MPhil and PhD were promised an assistance of Rs 5 lakh each. These assurances were included in the party’s manifesto and was reiterated to the students during the parliament elections as well.

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Last month, results of both Class 10 and intermediate examinations were declared. Mahabubabad district, which has a considerable SC and ST population, topped the chart in the results. Similarly, Medchal topped in first year intermediate and Mulugu in second year results.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had released the Class 10 results while Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka released the intermediate results.

Though the duo congratulated students on their results, both maintained a strategic silence on the financial assurance to be extended to SC and ST students. Many are wondering if the Congress government even remembered these promises made to the students.

Furthermore, the Finance Minister, while presenting the annual budget in the Assembly, had said the government, through the Scheduled Tribes Special Development Fund, was allocating funds for education, healthcare and livelihood in tribal areas. He also said apart from implementing the SC / ST Sub Plan, the government was releasing requisite funds in the 2025-26 financial year. Accordingly, allocation of Rs 40,232 crore was proposed for SC welfare and Rs 17,169 crore was proposed for ST welfare.

However, ground reality shows that all these were mere lip service, with the Congress government letting down the SC, ST student community as well.