‘Nearly 20 lakh students awaiting fee reimbursement’ - The HinduPublished - August 21, 2026 12:22 am IST - HYDERABADBJP State president N. Ramchander Rao on Thursday warned that the party would intensify its agitation against the Revanth Reddy government until fee reimbursement dues and scholarships are released to eligible students without further delay.“If the government continues to play with the future of students by withholding fee reimbursement and scholarship funds, we will stand with the students and continue our agitation until it relents and releases the necessary funds,” he asserted during a protest demonstration organised by the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) in Karimnagar, demanding the immediate release of pending dues.Mr. Rao alleged that while the previous BRS government had left nearly ₹8,000 crore in fee reimbursement dues pending, the present Congress government was also acting negligently by failing to release funds. He said the State Cabinet had decided to release ₹2,000 crore in advance towards fee reimbursement only after being pulled up by the High Court, but added that not a single rupee had been released so far.Expressing concern over the issue, Mr. Rao said nearly 20 lakh students were awaiting fee reimbursement. Due to the delay in release of funds, college managements were struggling to pay faculty salaries, which was affecting the functioning of educational institutions, he said.He further stated that students and their parents were undergoing severe financial and mental stress as they were unable to pay tuition fees. BJYM State president Ganesh Kunde and other party leaders also addressed the gathering.‘Revenue Minister evading debate’Meanwhile, in Hyderabad, BJP Legislature Party leader A. Maheshwar Reddy continued his attack on Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy over alleged fraudulent land deals and for not accepting his challenge for an open debate at the Legislative Assembly media point on the issue.“The Minister stayed away because he is guilty. His absence proves that he has no faith in democratic debate,” Mr. Maheshwar Reddy alleged, reiterating his demand for the Minister’s resignation instead of making “scapegoats” of junior officers. The BJP would take the issue to the people and continue its fight until a comprehensive inquiry into the alleged land transactions was conducted.Published - August 21, 2026 12:22 am ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }