Former MP Talari Rangaiah alleges poor facilities and safety concerns in AP welfare hostels and government schools, demanding action from HRD Minister Nara Lokesh.
Tadepalli: Former MP Dr Talari Rangaiah has criticised HRD Minister Nara Lokesh over what he described as inadequate facilities in government schools and SC, ST and BC welfare hostels across Andhra Pradesh.
Addressing a press conference at the YSRCP Central Office, Rangaiah said the government should prioritise basic facilities such as safe drinking water, toilets, nutritious food and student safety before making claims about investments and development.
Rangaiah claimed that nearly 100 students had died across the State in recent months and questioned the government’s response to such incidents. He alleged that many of those affected were children from economically weaker sections.
Referring to an incident at a ZP High School in Setturu mandal, he said SC student Teja Harshavardhan died after a wall reportedly collapsed when he went outside to relieve himself because of inadequate toilet facilities. He said another student, Akshay, suffered a leg fracture.
Rangaiah also referred to the reported death of a student after falling into a farm pond at Rayalappadoddi, and urged the government to strengthen safety measures around schools and hostels.
The former MP alleged that around 650 students at a hostel in Kanekallu were facing inadequate water facilities.
He challenged the HRD Minister to personally inspect the hostel’s sanitation facilities and questioned why a relatively small amount could not be spent on providing a borewell.
Rangaiah also criticised the quality of food being served to students in welfare hostels.
He recalled the previous YSRCP government’s Jagananna Gorumudda programme and claimed that Rs. 7,245 crore had been spent under the initiative.
He also referred to the reported deaths of eight-year-old Rashmika and 12-year-old Kalpana at Basivalasa in Narasannapeta and demanded greater accountability over student welfare.
Rangaiah demanded a comprehensive review of the HRD Department and called for Rs. 1 crore compensation and a government job for the family of the deceased student.
He also sought registration of cases under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against those responsible wherever applicable.
Rangaiah said ensuring the safety and basic needs of students should be the government’s first responsibility. He further demanded that Nara Lokesh step down if the department was unable to provide adequate safety, sanitation, drinking water and other essential facilities to students.
