BRS Calls for Immediate Release of Pending Dues and Scholarships for BAS

BRS leader and former minister T Harish Rao has demanded immediate disbursement of pending dues and first-term scholarship funds for Best Available Schools (BAS) from the Congress government.

The former minister, in a letter to Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, criticized the government for risking the future of over 25,000 students enrolled in 150 BAS schools by not disbursing the delayed dues and first-term scholarships even after three months of academic year 2024-25.

No Response or Action from the Congress Government

The party leader further alleged that despite multiple appeals and request, the Congress party hasn’t responded or taken any action in this regard yet. The Congress party, which is on power, is yet to disburse Rs 80 Crore dues in December which has further compromised the education of over 25,000 students.

According to the BRS leader, BAS scheme was launched by the then Congress government helmed by Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy in 2007. The BAS Scheme at that time covered only 80 private schools, benefitting 8,000 students (5,000 SCs and 3,000 STs). The financial aid was Rs. 8,000 for a day-scholar and Rs 20, 000 for a hostel student at that time.

However, after coming into power in 2014, the BRS continued the programme without any compromise. Not only this, but the then Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao even expanded the initiative from 80 to 150 schools that would cater to nearly 25,000 student beneficiaries belonging to marginalised communities.

Furthermore, BRS claims that its government even increased the funding for a day-scholar from Rs 8,000 to Rs 20,000, while raising the funding from Rs 20,000 to Rs 42,000 for a hostel student.

It must be known that BAS Scheme offers financial support to students (Marginalized, especially SC, ST category) from select private schools. The financial aid is offered in two segments – residential and non-residential.