T-JAC chairman M. Kodandaram, here on Friday, criticised the government for being extravagant on unnecessary projects, increasing dependency on huge loans, while neglecting education at the cost of scores of students. The State, which was surplus and rich four years ago at the time of formation, is now ridden with debts, he said.
In his opening remarks at the inaugural of the three-day PDSU State conference, he said, when the profligacy of the government was questioned, the rulers frown and say that the debts were meant only for development.
Expressing serious concern over the falling standards and increasing inequalities in the education system, he said that the condition of higher and university education was pathetic. Universities had no autonomy and vice-chancellors, holding files, have been roaming around the Secretariat for sanction of funds.
Varsities were beset with fund crunch and lack of teaching staff, as 50 % of the posts remained vacant. Though there was a Minister for Education, he has no power to take decisions and everything was left to the Chief Minister. No executive committee was constituted for any varsity till date and therefore all powers were vested with the CM, he said.
Prof. Kodandaram said lakhs of young people, who had completed graduation, have desperately been waiting for jobs. However, the CM, who declared that there were 1.07 lakh vacancies in public sector in 2015, had not taken any decision to fill them. The vacancy positions at present might have crossed two lakh. The government must make efforts to fill vacancies, both in public and private sectors, he said.
The JAC leader said that the present education system has created huge inequality among students, as those who could afford lakhs of rupees were getting quality education while the poor were forced to pursue education in institutions which lacked in teaching and other facilities. This has led to an abysmal socio-economic gap between students, he pointed out.
Appealing to students to be aware of public policies on education, he demanded the government wipe out the corporate education system.
HRF State president G. Madhava Rao and PoW leader V. Sandhya also spoke. PDSU State president A.D. Ramu presided.
Earlier the PDSU activists took out a rally in the town.
