VIJAYAWADA: Minister for Human Resource Development, IT and Electronics Nara Lokesh has directed officials to formulate procedures to implement the old fee reimbursement system for education and accommodation of students studying in various colleges in the State in place of Vidya Deevena and Vasathi Deevena.
Holding a review meeting with senior officials of the department on Tuesday, he said due to the previous government’s arrears of Rs 3,480 crore related to Vidya Deevena and Vasathi Deevena, students’ certificates have remained with their respective educational institutions. He observed that the YSRC government’s ill-conceived policies had jeopardised the future of students.
The HRD Minister also ordered strict measures to prevent drugs in colleges and universities. He emphasised the need for the appointment of nodal officers, besides seeking the cooperation of voluntary organisations to sensitise students about drugs.
The meeting discussed steps to be taken to fill 3,220 lecturer posts in colleges across the State. Lokesh stressed the importance of removing legal hurdles and recruitment of lecturers at the earliest. He made it clear that there should be a completely transparent and talent-based recruitment process without any political involvement.
Additionally, he highlighted the need for an academic and examination schedule and calendar for universities to ensure timely conduct of exams and announcement of results.
Expressing concern over the decline in admissions in government degree colleges in the last five years, he underlined the need to initiate measures to increase student enrolment.
Lokesh also instructed that all details of higher educational institutions, infrastructure, admissions, and court cases be included in government dashboard.
Lokesh receives representations from people
Minister for Human Resource Development, IT and Electronics Nara Lokesh met people of different walks who visited his chamber in the State Secretariat on Tuesday from various parts of the State. After receiving representations from the people and assuring them to strive to address them at the earliest, Lokesh directed his staff to segregate the representations and send them to the departments concerned.
