Fee Reimbursement Delay Sparks Protests in Ongole

Quick Summary

• Activists of the Progressive Democratic Students Union (PDSU), joined by students, staged a dharna in front of Prakasam District Collector’s office in Ongole on Thursday.
• Their demands focused on resolving issues related to the education sector across Andhra Pradesh.
• PDSU State Vice-President L. Rajasekhar called for:

– Immediate release of ₹4,200 crore in pending fee reimbursement dues.
– Stopping the privatisation of medical colleges in the state.
– Allocation of ₹100 crore to develop flagship institutions like Andhra Kesari University and IIIT.
– Solutions to problems faced by government junior and degree colleges within Prakasam district.

• He criticized the coalition government for not addressing education-related concerns despite being in power for 15 months, referencing promises made during nara Lokesh’s yuvagalam Padayatra.
• Students are reportedly facing difficulties due to pending fee arrears; college managements are withholding hall tickets and mark lists.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The protest led by PDSU highlights significant concerns about funding gaps, administrative inefficiencies, and policy decisions within Andhra Pradesh’s education sector. Failure to reimburse fees has clearly placed undue strain on both students and academic institutions-potentially hindering access to higher education for many young individuals from vulnerable economic backgrounds.

Additionally, calls for dedicated funding allocations reflect systemic challenges faced by key educational bodies like Andhra Kesari University and IIIT-a matter that could affect long-term advancement goals if unresolved.Advocating against privatising medical colleges reveals broader apprehensions regarding equity in medical education access across social strata.

The situation underscores an urgent need for effective financial management and a transparent roadmap from policymakers aimed at clearing arrears while ensuring sustainable support for public educational infrastructure without compromising accessibility or affordability.Read More: Published September 18, 2025