TDP National General Secretary Nara Lokesh
TDP National General Secretary Nara Lokesh has demanded that the Andhra Pradesh government immediately pay the outstanding fees owed to degree and PG students in the state.
In a letter addressed to CM Jagan Mohan Reddy , Nara Lokesh expressed concern that the academic year has commenced months ago, yet the students have not received their fee reimbursements, causing uncertainty about their future. He said that the state government owes Rs 1,650 crore in fee arrears, and this has resulted in college managements refusing to allow students to attend the examinations. He further said that the issuance of mark lists and other certificates to students who have completed their studies has been halted, causing difficulties for those attending further examinations, job tests, and interviews.
Nara Lokesh highlighted in the letter that students who are currently pursing degree courses are avoiding exams due to the uncertainty of receiving their fees. He urged the Jagan government to release the outstanding fees immediately, taking into account the concerns of lakhs of students. He revealed that the government has decided not to pay Rs. 600 crore in 2020-21, while it has to pay Rs 600 crore in 2022-23 for the fourth term fees, and Rs. 450 crore for PG courses, which have been pending for four years.
Nara Lokesh also criticized the Jagan government’s campaign, claiming that full fee reimbursement is being implemented through education and accommodation. He said that students and their parents are worried about the intense pressure from colleges to pay the pending fee dues. He added that some colleges are refusing to conduct exams due to non-payment of fees, causing further problems for students. Additionally, he said the new Vidhya Deevena grant money, which is put into the joint account of the student and their mother, is causing more problems for students. Nara Lokesh urged the government to stop being stubborn and release the pending fee reimbursement funds and fees of the current academic year.