Student leaders demand reforms in education, jobs, and anti-corruption measures
By Doruvu Paul Jagan Babu: Assistant Chief Editor
Hyderabad: At a press meet organized by the Telangana SC, ST, BC Minority Student Youth Association at Basheer Bagh Press Club on Saturday, State President Gavvala Srikanth and State General Secretary Kota Siva Shankar outlined key demands for systemic reforms in the education sector, employment policies, and governance. The leaders also raised concerns over corruption, mismanagement, and unfair treatment of student union activists.
Appointment of women staff demanded
Srikanth emphasized the urgent need for appointing women staff in Gurukul Vidyalayas, government schools, and SC, ST, BC minority girls’ schools and colleges. The association demanded swift completion of pending buildings and construction of side structures for institutions lacking adequate infrastructure.
Unfilled teaching vacancies should be addressed promptly, and 25% free education for underprivileged students in private schools must be implemented in line with the Right to Education Act, 2005. The group also called for the release of long-pending bills for hostels and educational institutions catering to marginalized communities.
They proposed establishing additional Gurukuls to enhance access to quality education in underserved areas.
Focus on upcoming maha sabha in Kothagudem
The association plans to organize a State Maha Sabha in Kothagudem from August 23 to 25. In preparation, they urged the formation of district committees to ensure the success of the event.
Corruption allegations and misuse of power
Responding to ongoing criticism, Srikanth defended Singareni CMD Balaram Nayak, calling for an end to baseless allegations against him and highlighting his tribal background. He called for a crackdown on actual corruption within Singareni operations.
The association also accused outsourcing agencies of exploiting unemployed youth by charging exorbitant fees under false promises of regular employment. They called for abolishing such agencies and replacing them with a government-formed recruitment corporation based on merit.
Opposition to outsourcing in RTC appointments
Leaders opposed the idea of filling RTC conductor posts through outsourcing. Instead, they demanded that RTC Corporation MD Sajjanar directly handle appointments.
They also insisted that the Secretary of the Singareni Education Society be chosen from the Mining or Welfare Department to ensure proper administration.
Expansion of Central Educational Institutions
The association urged the government to establish Navodaya Vidyalayas in all 33 districts of Telangana and set up more Central Schools (Kendriya Vidyalayas) to bridge the urban-rural education gap.
Student leaders face police harassment
A serious concern raised was the filing of cases against student union leaders who expose local corruption. Srikanth alleged that instead of investigating complaints, local police file retaliatory cases against whistleblowers. He urged the State DGP to intervene, investigate these incidents, and ensure wrongful cases are withdrawn.
The event was also attended by State Leader Golla Ramesh, All India Tribal Employees Welfare Association National Vice President Sunkari Srinivas, and Singareni VRS Kothagudem General Secretary J Sadanandam.
