Rahul Gandhi promises support to private educational institutions

Hyderabad: Congress president Rahul Gandhi has promised that the next government of Congress-led People's Front would extend all support to the private educational institutions in the State.

Addressing a Convention on KG to PG Recognised Institutions in Telangana State at Classic Convention Center in Shamshabad on Thursday, Rahul Gandhi said that the TRS Government was not fair to the private educational institutions. He said the private educational institutions were helping build the future of Telangana and the future of our country. "Each one of you, individually and together, is helping in transformation our country," he told an impressive gathering of managements and staff associated with the KG to PG Recognised Educational Institutions JAC.

"Congress party believes in fairness and if you look at our policies, all of them create a level playing field for different groups of people. In a lot of speech, I speak about forgiving the loans of farmers. The argument I'm making is that...If the Prime Minister can forgive Rs. 3.5 lakh crore loans of 15 richest people in the country, then he should be ready to waive the loan of farmers," he said. "We are not asking for any free gifts. We are just asking whatever you do, you treat everyone fairly. If you are giving a loan waiver to the richest, then you owe that to farmers of the country," he added.

Rahul Gandhi said that the private educational institutions were doing a great service to the Telangana. "Every educational institution, whether it is private or government, small or large, is doing a service for people of Telangana. But the TRS Government is favouring corporates while harming your institutions which have been set up by thousands of entrepreneurs like you," he said.

Stating that non-release of Fee Reimbursement by TRS Government damaged institutions, Rahul Gandhi gave a commitment that the next Congress-led Government in Telangana would ensure that universal fee reimbursement is made on timely basis and what is due is being given to them. Further, he said that the Congress party, in its manifesto, has promised health insurance for the staff of recognised private educational institutions. He said electricity tariff would be reasonable and municipal and property tax would be reduced. He said that the next government would also revive thousands of minority institutions which were closed due to the wrong policies of TRS Government. "We believe that there should be a level playing field. We are not against one group and in favour of another. Everyone should be able to contribute fairly. We will allow you to be competitive and also do your service," he said.

Rahul Gandhi said that Prime Minister Narender Modi and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao has made several promises and did not implement a single one. "PM made a promise of depositing Rs. 15 lakh in each bank account. He also promised to give 2 crore jobs every year and also assured to waive off crop loans and give proper MSP to farmers. He had promised to work as 'Chowkidar' (watchman) and not the Prime Minister. But he has broken every single promise, he said.

Most importantly, Modi has broken the promise of being an honest Prime Minister. He gave Rs. 30,000 crore to Anil Ambani in the Rafale deal. But he has not given the farmers their dues. He has not created employment. The same can be said about the Chief Minister of Telangana, he said.

"KCR was given a golden opportunity to build a new vision for the State...to create a new State...a new way of doing things...But what we've seen in the last 5 years, he has encouraged corruption, carried out family rule and he has not supported the people like you to build a new Telangana," he said.

Asking the audience to check his speeches for the last 15 years, the Congress president asked them to identify one commitment which he has made and not kept "I don't have the habit of lying to our people or make false promises. When I said I'm committed to the farmers and will waive off their crop loans, we did it in Karnataka. You can check that with anyone," he said.

"I will not make huge promises like 2 crore jobs every year or Rs. 15 lakh in your account. What I say from my stage is the matter of my credibility and I take that very seriously. The commitments being made to you from this stage, by both me and PCC president Uttam Kumar Reddy, they are written on the stone. They will happen. That is a guarantee to you," Rahul Gandhi said in his concluding remarks.

Earlier, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, in his speech, applauded the services being rendered by the private educational institutions in Telangana State. He said nearly 46 lakh students were studying in those institutions which have staff of about 5 lakh Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff. However, he said that the KCR Government completely neglected them and even humiliated the managements on multiple occasions. He said even police force was sent to raid some institutions. He said that the next People's Front government, comprising of Congress, TDP, TJS and CPI, would address all their grievances. He said Fee Reimbursement would be made twice a year without any delays.

Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the countdown for TRS Government had begun when the private educational institutions had announced their support to the Congress-led People's Front. He appealed to the managements, staff, students and parents to support the People's Front in next elections to be held on December 7.

Former Chief Minister of Kerela Oman Chandy, TJS President Prof. Kodandaram and other senior leaders were also present.