Congress not to allow private varsities in Telangana if voted to power: TPCC chief

Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President N Uttam Kumar Reddy Tuesday said that the Congress, if voted to power in the forthcoming Assembly elections, would not allow private universities in the state.

Addressing a function at the Indira Bhavan here, Reddy alleged that the TRS regime had "completely ruined" the education system of Telangana by letting all state universities starve for funds and staff during the last four-and-a-half years, a party release said.

The TPCC chief also slammed the TRS government for its failure to start IT Investment Region (ITIR) project here which was sanctioned by the previous Congress-led UPA government to create over 50 lakh direct and indirect jobs.

Reddy claimed that Congress president Rahul Gandhi was all set to become the next prime minister and once the Congress comes to power at the Centre, Telangana would get a Railway Coach factory at Kazipet, Steel Factory at Bayyaram and the ITIR.

According to Reddy, required funds were not released to Osmania, Kakatiya, Palamuru, Telangana and other (state) universities and no efforts were made to fill the vacancies in state universities.

"Caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao allowed the conditions in all universities to deteriorate, which consequently had a negative impact on the quality of education. All this was done to facilitate establishment of private universities," he alleged.

Reddy alleged that students were harassed by not releasing fee reimbursement dues and asserted "neither the vacancies in government departments were filled nor new job opportunities were created".

"If KCR (as Rao is popularly known as) retains power then he would completely dismantle the entire education system," he alleged, adding that the Congress would not allow private universities and it would strengthen the state universities by giving them funds and required staff.

The TPCC chief said when the Congress promised to give Rs 3,000 unemployment allowance to jobless youth, KCR copied it and made the promise by adding just Rs 16 to it.

Reddy also questioned as to why the TRS government did not give any allowance to jobless youth during the last four years.

Meanwhile, the Telangana Congress party Tuesday held protests against the "non-fulfilment" of promise of the TRS government on providing 12 per cent reservation in jobs and education to Muslims.

Congress activists organised a 12-minute silent protest across Telangana at 12 noon, a party release said.

The main protest was held in Gandhi Bhavan premises here and the Minorities Departments of District Congress Committees organised silent 'dharna' at the district headquarters.

The Congress leaders covered their mouths with black cloth and also tied a black ribbon on their hands, the release added.

(With inputs from agencies.)