Hyderabad, June 30: Andhra Pradesh Government would immediately release dues amounting to Rs 1,000 crore towards reimbursement of fee for students belonging to backward classes pursuing professional courses in the state.
This was announced by Chief Minister K Rosaiah today after an all-party meeting here.
The fee reimbursement scheme would also cover students belonging to economically backward classes. The total dues under the scheme amount to Rs 2,083 crore, including Rs 600 crore this financial year with the number of beneficiaries touching 25.44 lakh this year, he said.
With the dues mounting because of the State’s fragile financial health, political parties and BC outfits have been on a warpath with AP BC Welfare Association President R Krishnaiah and State BJP President G Kishan Reddy launching indefinite hunger strike demanding the dues be cleared soon.
The government foiled the fast by the two leaders but Krishnaiah continued to observe fast in hospital.
Against this backdrop, the Chief Minister convened an all-party meeting in the state secretariat today to discuss the issue and arrive at a solution.
All the parties wanted the government to immediately clear the dues and protect the students’ academic interests.
“We will release Rs 1,000 crore immediately and the balance will be released in a gradual manner,” Rosaiah said.
-IANS