Telangana: No jobs, say students, but Kadiam Srihari says 50,000 notified

Hyderabad: “With zero per cent employment how do students celebrate?” asked Mohammed Musavir, a PhD scholar from Osmania University.

As the state turns four on Friday there is disappointment that the high hopes that many had of the new state have been belied. A section of OU students, particularly those who participated in the statehood movement, feels let down. “After four years people’s Telangana is yet to materialise. I fear that the sacrifice of OU students has gone in vain as attacks on our educational institutions are high,” said Mr Sharath Naliganti, an OU student.

Mr Pagidipally Srihari, a member of ABVP said, "KCR had promised one lakh jobs in front of the Assembly, which is yet to materialise. Bogus notifications are uploaded every day. The DSC notification has been put up 33 times. The government is neglecting OU. This makes the celebration a sad occasion. The promise to give students of the university five Assembly seats and three MLA tickets also turned out to be false."

“Many students were even ready to go to jail. Ever since 1969, OU had been trying for Telangana and now we are left with no education or employment policies. Students will celebrate on June 2 but only for the state and not for the government,” said Mr Naresh Dudapaka, a student of journalism.

Deputy Chief Minister Kadiam Srihari defended the government's record. He said no funds had been allocated for infrastructure or faculty recruitment for the past two decades while the TRS government had sanctioned Rs 420 crore for different universities out of which Rs 200 crore was for OU.

“During Congress reign, there was no fund allocation. A lot of notifications are being issued for different departments. About 30,000 posts have opened in the electricity department and about 20,000 posts are open for teaching in residential schools, colleges etc. We are committed to give the one lakh jobs that we promised but what more can the government do in such a short time,” he said.

He alleged that the “vast majority” of those who stay at the university had completed their education but “they stay back to protest as they are more interested in politics than education.”