Concentrate on job creation: Kakatiya students to KCR

Once the epicentre for the demand of the separate statehood agitation in this Telangana heartland, Kakatiya University is a picture in stark contrast with the Osmania University, the ground zero of the protests in Hyderabad, when it comes to KCR and his party TRS.

While Osmania has erupted against K Chandrashekar Rao for “renegading” on his promise of generating government jobs and fulfilling promises made to the downtrodden, students in Kakatiya speak high of KCR’s welfare programmes, especially those benefiting farmers and women, and feel the chief minister could have spent his energy more on creating jobs and improving the education sector.

Kakatiya University like Osmania had erupted in protests during 2009-2014 in favour of a separate Telangana state. The universities were closed several times during the agitation.

When this DH correspondent caught with a group of first-time voters in the campus with plush greenery.

They felt that the TRS government should be given another chance to fulfill promises made to the people in 2014 and rued lack of “credible alternative” even if they want a change in leadership.

“KCR has doled out lot of incentives to farmers across the state and he has ensured all-round development. Every pregnant and lactating women have been given KCR kits, farmers get water for irrigation and elders are being provided with monthly pension,” Ch Suresh, a 3rd year B. Pharm student, told DH.

His classmate and friend O Mohan concurs with Suresh about the welfare schemes but feels KCR should have done much more in generating jobs in the government sector.

“People, especially youngsters, who want to get into government service are upset with KCR. It is true he could have done more, but he should be given one more tenure,” he said.

A few metre away, first year MBA students were scrambling for notes as they were in a hurry to sit for semester examinations.

As the discussion over politics began, U Kirankumar said that the government needs to focus on updating the curriculum and introducing new courses in universities.

“KCR should also focus on building hospitals in the next five years, as I am sure he will get elected,” he said.

Joining the discussion, B Sandhya says that the biggest achievement of the TRS government was ensuring 24-hour power supply and sops for farmers.

“I admit he has to do more, but we should also acknowledge what he has done so far. His scheme of aiding farmers and bringing them under insurance cover is very popular,” She said.

But her classmate A Manisha disagrees, saying KCR hasn’t done anything concrete for the student community.

“I don’t have faith in any politicians. I will opt for NOTA,” she said.

Taking the discussion to a next level, D Nikhil said that though he will vote for TRS in the Assembly elections, he wants the BJP to come back to power at the Centre.

“The BJP has done so much for reviving small scale industries and maintaining friendship with neighbouring countries. The group insurance scheme is the masterstroke and the BJP should continue for the scheme to be implemented fairly,” he said.

A Vignesh Reddy, who is pursuing his M. Sc (Microbiology), says that the projects relating to irrigation like Mallannasagar Reservoir and Kaleswaram are the need of the hour.

“His (KCR) schemes are highly popular in rural areas and I just wish he had concentrated more on generation of jobs,” he said.

Outside the administrative building, a group of students were very vocal in their criticism against KCR.

“Forget about his work. He behaves as if he is the Nizam. This elections is the time to remind him that he is a democratically-elected leader and not a king,” A Dilip, pursuing his M.Sc. in Geology, said.

M Bhanuprakash, a P.G. graduate, criticises KCR for increasing the wages of government servants instead of generating more jobs.

“While there is a record number of people without jobs, he was splurging on government servants by increasing their wages. He could have used half of the money in creating more jobs for youth,” he said.