Andhra working to transform education sector: Jagan

Amaravati, Nov 30: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said on Wednesday that his government is striving hard to transform the education sector by implementing various schemes.

He said the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has already spent a whopping Rs 54,908 crore on these schemes.

The state government on Wednesday released Rs 694 crore as fee reimbursement for the July-September 2022 quarter benefiting 11.02 lakh students.

He released the amount by pressing the button at a programme held at Madanapalle in Annamayya district.

The amount will be directly credited into the bank accounts of the mothers of students.

The day's disbursal takes the total amount released so far under the Jagananna Vidya Deevena Scheme to Rs 12,401 crore which includes the arrears of Rs 1,778 crore by the previous TDP government from 2017.

Jagan Mohan Reddy said that direct credit of fees reimbursement into the bank accounts of students' mothers will empower them to question the college managements on the quality of education provided to students.

While the students faced a pathetic situation during the TDP rule that kept pending an amount of Rs 1,778 crore towards fee reimbursement for the years 2017-18 and 2018-19, he said the YSRCP government has been striving hard to change the shape of educational sector by implementing Jagananna Amma Vodi, Jagananna Vasathi Deevena, Jagananna Vidya Kanuka, Jagananna Goru Mudda and Nadu-Nedu programs besides the Jagananna Vidya Deevena for which a whopping Rs 54,908 crore was already spent.

Recalling how the TDP government diluted the fees reimbursement scheme introduced by his father and former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajaskehara Reddy, he referred to the series of complaints received from students during his Padayatra and observed that the scheme was transformed as Jagananna Vidya Deevena Scheme after YSRCP came to power.

Asking people to judge his governance by using the yardstick of the welfare benefits they have received, he urged them not to believe the false propaganda unleashed by the TDP and its friendly media.

"The gang of four, comprising Chandrababu, his foster son, and his friendly media had pursued the policy of plunder, stash and devour," he said.

The Chief Minister asked the people to see the difference between the YSRCP government which stands for accountability and considers its party's manifesto as a holy book and TDP rule which totally neglected agriculture, education, welfare of women, minorities and the downtrodden while pretending otherwise.

He said the government is fighting with demons to implement its welfare programmes.

Appealing to the people to bless him to serve them more, he said his government has already fulfilled 98 per cent of its promises.

He exhorted the students to have good education and become top-notch professionals saying the government is ready to extend the required financial support to any number of students in each and every family as the government considers expenditure on education as investment for future.

Education is the only asset that we pass on to the next generation, he said.

In response to the appeal of the Madanapalle MLA Mohammed Nawaz Basha, the chief minister granted Rs 5 crore for the construction of Tippu Sultan Masjid, Rs 30 crore for construction of CC Roads and drainages, Rs 14 crore for expediting the construction of the three R&B bridges and Rs 7.30 crore for constructing a bridge over Bahuda River.