Lokesh Promises To Clear Fee Reimbursement Arrears

vijayawada:Education minister Nara Lokesh on Friday met student and youth leaders and promised them complete release of fee reimbursement dues left behind by the previous government.

Lokesh warned private university managements not to pressure students regarding these debts and promised to take strict action against such rule violations.

The Minister said that around Rs 4,200 billion had not been paid. “We will announce the amount gradually after the necessary financial approvals,” he said.

Lokesh accepted an 11-point statement from student leaders. Students demanded that decisions barring student leaders from entering educational institutions be withdrawn; cancellation of online degree admissions in favor of offline processes and removal of policies restricting PG education for economically weak students.

He said political speeches would be banned in universities and colleges, but non-political student issues could be discussed on a separate platform after academic hours.

The education minister pledged the government’s support for anti-ragging and anti-drug campaigns and promised to simplify the issuance of bus tickets through Aadhaar integration.

In admissions, Lokesh promised timely completion without any delay. He said that the schedule for next year’s joint entrance exams will be announced this year.

The student leaders’ request for direct admission to the remaining university quotas was appreciated by the minister, on the condition of passing the basic exams.

Highlighting the lack of 4,300 vacant teaching positions at universities, the minister vowed to act quickly to fill these vacancies by overcoming legal challenges.

Student leaders also called on the minister to reopen more than 2,000 public schools closed by the previous government, increase hostel cafeteria fees in line with living costs, prevent suicides in welfare hostels and hold student union elections without delay.