Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has called on Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for support in enhancing the state’s education sector, seeking substantial funding for new schools and infrastructure improvements.
NEW DELHI: Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy met with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday to discuss the urgent need for financial support to bolster the state’s education sector. Reddy highlighted that the Telangana government requires ₹30,000 crore for the development of Young India Schools and other educational institutions.
During the meeting, Reddy requested that spending on the construction of Young India schools be exempted from the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) limits. He emphasized the importance of this support, noting that the state has already implemented significant reforms in education.
The Chief Minister provided an overview of initiatives aimed at delivering corporate-style education to backward classes (BC), Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and minority communities, who together represent approximately 90 percent of the state’s population. A delegation led by Reddy met with Sitharaman at her office in North Block to discuss these pressing issues.
Reddy informed the Finance Minister that 105 Young India Integrated Residential Schools are being constructed across all 105 Assembly Constituencies in Telangana. He noted that construction has already commenced on four of these schools, with tenders for the remaining institutions finalized. Each school is designed to accommodate 2,560 students, providing educational opportunities for a total of 2.70 lakh students throughout the state.
In addition to the construction of the schools, Reddy outlined the need for funds to create state-of-the-art facilities, including laboratories and sports stadiums. The total estimated cost for constructing these schools is ₹21,000 crore, with an additional ₹9,000 crore earmarked for modernizing laboratories and infrastructure in junior colleges, degree colleges, technical institutions, and other higher education facilities.
To address the financial requirements for these projects, Reddy urged Sitharaman to allow the establishment of a special corporation to mobilize funds and to grant an exemption from the FRBM limits. He reiterated that the state government views its investment in education as crucial for the future of its citizens.
Furthermore, Reddy requested the restructuring of existing loans, explaining that the previous administration had incurred high-interest debts, which have become a significant burden on the current government.
According to a government release, Sitharaman responded positively to the Chief Minister’s requests, indicating a willingness to support Telangana’s educational initiatives.
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