CM Revanth Rules Out Polytechnic Privatisation
Replying to a debate in the Legislative Assembly, Revanth said the government had entered into an MoU with the Tata Group to upgrade polytechnics across Telangana, with the group committing ₹4,000 crore.
Hyderabad:Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Friday categorically ruled out privatisation of government polytechnic colleges, saying their proposed integration with the Young India Skills University was aimed at modernising technical education and aligning courses with industry requirements.
Replying to a debate in the Legislative Assembly, Revanth said the government had entered into an MoU with the Tata Group to upgrade polytechnics across Telangana, with the group committing ₹4,000 crore. He said the partnership had already yielded results in transforming outdated ITIs into Advanced Technology Centres (ATCs), enabling students from remote and forest areas to secure jobs in multinational companies.
The polytechnics would remain under government control, he said, adding that bringing them under the Skills University was intended to strengthen industry linkages and not privatise the institutions.
The government would provide modern laboratories, equipment and training facilities and expand internships, apprenticeships and practical training. Courses would be updated to meet the requirements of emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, robotics, semiconductors, electric vehicles and advanced manufacturing.
Infrastructure and faculty skills would also be strengthened through coordination between the Technical Education and Skills Development departments, Revanth said.
Rejecting Opposition claims that government land and jobs would be affected, he said the government had transferred an additional 282 acres of revenue land to ATCs and spent ₹46 crore on each centre. Students at the ATCs were also being provided a monthly scholarship of ₹2,000.
Revanth said the government would address students’ concerns and amend GO 97 if necessary. Responding to objections over AICTE approval, he said the required approval would be obtained for the Skills University. There would be no increase in fees and the fee reimbursement scheme would continue as usual, he said, urging students not to believe “false propaganda”.
Taking a swipe at BRS leader T. Harish Rao, who studied at Masab Tank Polytechnic College, Revanth alleged that the Opposition was trying to obstruct reforms for political reasons.
He said the government would not allow poor students to suffer and urged students to reject misinformation, focus on their studies and support reforms aimed at improving their employment prospects.