Release Mana Ooru–Mana Badi Funds Immediately: Gutta Sukender Reddy Tells Govt
Mana Ooru–Mana Badi scheme | Hyderabad, Jan 6 (Maxim News): Legislative Council Chairman Gutta Sukhender Reddy made sharp remarks in the Assembly on Tuesday.
Urging the state government to immediately release pending funds under the Mana Ooru–Mana Badi scheme meant for renovation and infrastructure development of government schools.
Participating in Question Hour, he said contractors had already taken up works worth Rs 360 crore under the scheme, but payments were stalled. He said even in his own native village, school works were halted midway, forcing children to sit in the open during winter.
The Chairman said he had repeatedly raised the issue over the past year with Principal Secretary Yogita Rana, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.
While all other payments were being cleared, funds related to Mana Ooru–Mana Badi were being neglected, he alleged.
He criticised the government for renaming the scheme as Amma Adarsha Paathashala and linking it to mining cess funds. Though some payments were made initially, he said even those had now stopped.
‘Government school admissions falling’
Gutta Sukhender Reddy also expressed concern over rising dropouts in government schools. Citing official data for the 2024–25 academic year, he said around 18.5 lakh students were studying in government schools, while private schools had about 36 lakh students.
He questioned claims by officials that three lakh new students had joined government schools this year, calling them exaggerated. “In reality, not even 30,000 new admissions have taken place,” he remarked.
The Council Chairman appealed to the government to immediately clear pending payments under the Mana Ooru–Mana Badi scheme to prevent further disruption to school education and restore confidence in government schools.
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