Archive · 26 Aug 2026
BRS Sets Sept. 7 Deadline Over Polytechnic Skill University Plan
T. Harish Rao is protesting a government order about polytechnic colleges in Telangana.
The order would bring government polytechnics and ITIs under a proposed Skill University.
Rao says this could affect nearly one lakh students.
He wants the order, called GO No.
97, withdrawn by September 7.
If it is not withdrawn, he says the BRS will lead a protest at the Secretariat.
He is worried that students could lose affordable fees and opportunities to enter engineering through lateral entry.
He also questioned whether fee reimbursement would continue.
Rao further raised concerns about private control and the future use of college lands and buildings.
BRS leader T. Harish Rao demanded withdrawal of GO No. 97 by September 7.
The order proposes bringing government polytechnic colleges and ITIs under a proposed Skill University.
Harish Rao warned that the BRS would lead a Secretariat siege with over one lakh students if the order remains.
He said the move could affect nearly one lakh students, affordable fees, fee reimbursement, and lateral-entry opportunities.
Rao questioned whether government college lands and assets could face private control, mortgaging, or use for loans.
- Who
- BRS leader T. Harish Rao, protesting polytechnic students, and the Telangana government led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.
- What
- Harish Rao demanded withdrawal of GO No. 97 and warned of a BRS-led Secretariat siege if it is not withdrawn.
- When
- The demand and warning were made on Tuesday, with September 7 set as the withdrawal deadline.
- Where
- Harish Rao addressed students protesting at Government Polytechnic College in Masab Tank, Hyderabad; the threatened protest would take place at the Secretariat.
- Why
- Rao said the proposal could affect students’ fees, fee reimbursement, lateral-entry opportunities, and the future control or use of government college lands and assets.
- Government order
- GO No. 97 proposes bringing government polytechnic colleges and ITIs under a proposed Skill University.
- Withdrawal deadline
- September 7
- Threatened protest
- A BRS-led siege of the Secretariat with more than one lakh polytechnic students, according to Harish Rao.
- Polytechnic colleges
- Telangana has 113 polytechnic colleges, including 59 government colleges.
- Students cited
- Harish Rao said nearly one lakh students could be affected.
- Current fee cited
- Students complete polytechnic education at an affordable fee of around Rs. 15,000, according to Rao.
- Main concerns
- Rao questioned lateral-entry opportunities, fee affordability, fee reimbursement, private control, and the possible mortgaging or use of college assets for loans.
