Ponnam Prabhakar Urges Opposition To Keep Politics Out Of Fee Reimbursement

Telangana Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar has urged opposition parties to keep politics away from the issue of fee reimbursement and focus instead on resolving students’ concerns.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Prabhakar alleged that the previous BRS government in Telangana and the BJP-led government at the Centre had failed to adequately address students’ problems. He accused some opposition leaders of using fee reimbursement as a political issue merely to remain relevant.

The minister said the Congress government, after assuming office, had cleared pending fee reimbursement dues and introduced a system aimed at ensuring payments are made in advance so that students do not face difficulties during the academic year. He said steps were being taken to make funds available before the start of the academic year.

Prabhakar said the government was also focusing on improving integrated schools and educational infrastructure, increasing dining charges and filling vacant teaching posts. He added that the government was willing to address genuine concerns raised by college managements and work towards resolving them.

Taking aim at BJP leaders who have been critical of Rahul Gandhi, the minister challenged them to clarify whether BJP-ruled states were implementing free education or comprehensive fee reimbursement programmes for students.

Prabhakar further alleged that student-unfriendly policies of the BJP-led Central government were contributing to growing youth dissatisfaction and movements such as those associated with Gen Z.

He appealed to opposition parties not to use students’ futures for political gains. Instead, he said, they should question the Centre over funds and the rights due to Telangana and work towards securing greater support for the state.

The minister maintained that students’ education should remain above political differences and called for a constructive approach to issues concerning fee reimbursement and the education sector.