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Andhra disburses Rs 708 crore towards fee reimbursement

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The Andhra Pradesh government on Wednesday disbursed Rs 708 crore to 10.82 lakh students as fee reimbursement under its flagship scheme Jagananna Vidya Deevena.

The amount was credited to the bank accounts of beneficiaries towards fee reimbursement for October – December 2021 quarter.

Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, who transferred the money, reiterated that poverty should not be a hindrance for pursuing higher education

The government had also decided to disburse regular payments on a quarterly basis.

Education is the only solution to eradicate poverty. If a child in a village is educated, the entire village can benefit from it. Further, the government is ensuring to reduce college dropouts across the state. Debt settlement can make a huge difference to lead to successful completion of course/education,” he said.

Under the government’s flagship Jagananna Vidya Deevena, the total fee reimbursement would be directly transferred to the accounts of mothers of the students.

Jagan Mohan Reddy recalled an incident during his padaytra wherein a father narrated how his son committed suicide as the fees could not be paid.

The Chief Minister said that full fee reimbursement was brought in to make education accessible to the poor, especially fulfilling the dream of pursuing higher education without burdening their families.

The government has so far provided assistance of Rs 9,274 crore under Jagananna Vidya Deevena and Jaganna Vasathi Deevena (Lodging and boarding charges). This includes the fee reimbursement arrears of Rs 1,778 crore kept by the previous government, Rs 6969 crore for Jagananna Vidya Deevena, and Rs 2305 crore for Jaganna Vasathi Deevena.

The Chief Minister also noted that there is a significant increase in gross enrollment in schools with the implementation of Amma Vodi. Under this scheme, the government is providing Rs 15,000 assistance to all the mothers who send their children to school.

“We are also making significant changes to the higher education syllabus and taking steps towards job creation,” the Chief Minister added.

The government has not only been providing assistance to the students on fee reimbursement but to their lodging and boarding charges too under Jagananna Vasathi Deevena. The scheme would give assistance of Rs 20,000 to all eligible students pursuing degrees, engineering, and medicine while Rs 15000 for polytechnic students and Rs 10,000 for ITI students in two installments every year.

He said that the second tranche of Vasati Deevena will be credited on April 5 at a public event.

As part of the reforms in the education sector, bilingual textbooks have been introduced, English medium schools with CBSE curriculum are made available, and students are given Vidya Kanuka kits with uniforms, workbooks, notebooks, along with nutritious midday meals under Jagananna Gorumuddha.

He said that the admissions in government schools were increased by 6.5 lakh as students from private schools were shifting to government schools.

Ministers Adimulapu Suresh, Pinepe Viswaroop, Chief Secretary Dr Sameer Sharma, APSCHE Chairman K. Hemachandrareddy, Minority Welfare Special Secretary Gandham Chandradu, and other senior officials were present.

National News

‘No minister can issue such orders’: Jitendra Singh rejects Rahul’s claims of Amit Shah ordering firing on protesting students

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New Delhi, July 29: Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Wednesday criticised Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, for his remarks about Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a discussion in the House, alleging that he spoke without verifying facts and lacked basic knowledge of administrative procedures.

Speaking during the debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, Jitendra Singh said: “First of all, it is disappointing to see the conduct of the Opposition when such an important Bill is being discussed. This legislation has been brought with great sensitivity and reflects the commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi towards ensuring fairness in public examinations. Instead of participating in a constructive discussion or offering suggestions, the Opposition is trying to politicise the issue.”

The Union Minister also expressed surprise over Gandhi’s conduct in Parliament.

“I am surprised by the behaviour of the Leader of the Opposition. The kind of language he used in Parliament was inappropriate. Such expressions should not be used in the House. If any Member of Parliament wishes to describe himself in a certain manner, that is a matter for outside Parliament, but such language has no place here,” he said.

Singh further said that Gandhi appeared unaware of parliamentary norms despite holding a position of responsibility.

“The office of the Leader of the Opposition carries great respect. It is surprising that he does not seem to know the basic norms of Parliament. If he claims that his remarks were not directed at any individual, then one wonders whether he was referring to the students. If students are being described in such terms, then nothing could be more unfortunate,” he said.

Referring to Gandhi’s allegations against Amit Shah, Singh said, “When Rahul Gandhi claims that Amit Shah ordered action against students, he has failed to provide any evidence to support the allegation. For basic information, no minister can issue such orders. Such decisions are taken by a magistrate, District Magistrate (DM), or Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM). This is basic administrative knowledge, and it appears he lacks even this understanding.”

He further rejected Gandhi’s other claims.

“There was no firing; only tear gas was used. He also claimed that the Home Minister travels with 30 vehicles, which suggests he may be mistaken even in his calculations. He further alleged that the Home Minister was abroad, but there is no evidence to support that claim. Amit Shah has not gone abroad. Making statements without facts or evidence is not the conduct expected from the Leader of the Opposition,” Singh said.

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National News

Mumbai: Woman, 21-year-old biker killed in high-speed collision on Mahim Causeway

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New Delhi, July 29: A 50-year-old woman and a 21-year-old motorcyclist were killed after a speeding motorcycle hit the woman while she was crossing the road on Mumbai Mahim Causeway on Tuesday night, police said.

According to Mahim Police, the accident occurred at around 9:20 p.m. on General Arun Kumar Vaidya Marg near Mahim Causeway. The deceased have been identified as Mangala Tandel (50) and Dhruv Manoj Gurav (21), both residents of Mahim.

Police said Mangala Tandel was crossing the road along with her two daughters to visit a relative who lived on the opposite side when a speeding KTM motorcycle allegedly struck her. The impact left both Tandel and the rider critically injured.

Mangala’s husband, Ashok Tandel, who works with Bank of Baroda, told police that he was at home when he heard a loud crash. Rushing outside, he found his wife and the motorcycle rider lying seriously injured on the road, with the KTM motorcycle at the scene.

With the help of local residents, Mangala was rushed to Raheja Hospital, where doctors declared her dead on arrival.

Meanwhile, the injured rider, identified as Dhruv Gurav, was initially taken to Bhabha Hospital before being shifted to Raheja Hospital for further treatment. He later succumbed to his injuries during treatment, police said.

Mahim Police said they are awaiting the rider’s blood sample report to determine whether he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.

Based on a complaint filed by Ashok Tandel, Mahim Police have registered a case against Dhruv Manoj Gurav under Sections 106(1) and 281 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Police alleged that Gurav was riding the motorcycle in a rash and negligent manner at high speed, leading to the fatal collision.

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Crime

Hyderabad Police officer suspended on allegation of sexually exploiting woman

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Hyderabad, July 29: Station House Officer (SHO) of Jubilee Hills Police Station in Hyderabad has been suspended following allegations of sexually exploiting a woman and blackmailing and threatening her.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar issued orders suspending Station House Officer U. Srinivasulu Reddy. An announcement to this effect was made late on Tuesday night.

Following the allegations by a 31-year-old woman from Sangareddy district, the officer was sent to the Vacancy Reserve. After the preliminary investigation, the Commissioner ordered his suspension, pending a departmental inquiry.

The woman had complained to the Director General of Police (DGP) C.V. Anand that Srinivasulu sexually assaulted her, forced her to undergo an abortion and threatened her. She also accused him of physically assaulting her.

She alleged that the SHO was blackmailing her by threatening to post her personal videos and demanding that she pay Rs 2 crore. She claimed she had paid several thousands of rupees on different occasions.

The incident dates back to 2021, when she approached Ameenpur police station over a family dispute. Srinivasulu was then serving as an inspector there. She alleged that he later contacted her regarding the case and gradually demanded sexual favours.

The woman alleged that Srinivasulu later asked her to visit his residence in KPHB and, when she refused, he threatened to come to her house. She alleged that he later sexually assaulted her at his residence. She also claimed that he took her to a hospital when she became pregnant, where she underwent an abortion.

The woman also alleged that Srinivasulu had paid Rs 25 lakh to get posted as Jubilee Hills SHO.

Reddy, who was posted as SHO of Jubilee Hills just four months ago, denied the allegations. He reportedly told senior officials that the woman threatened him and extorted money from him.

Police are likely to record the statements of both the suspended officer and the complainant as part of the investigation into the allegations.

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