BRS Demands Immediate Withdrawal of GO 97 Over Polytechnic University Merger

The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) on Monday demanded that the Congress government immediately withdraw Government Order (GO) 97, extending its formal support to polytechnic students in Hyderabad and across Telangana who have been agitating against the order for more than a week.

The contentious government order brings polytechnic colleges under the newly formed Young India Skill University. Following protests by students, the BRS student wing, BRSV, staged solidarity demonstrations across the state.

Speaking to the media in Hyderabad on Monday, former Member of Parliament B Vinod Kumar stated that the party examined the matter in detail and found the students' concerns to be justified. He observed that the provisions of the Skill University Act and GO 97 appeared contradictory, triggering significant apprehension among students, particularly those belonging to poor and middle-class backgrounds.

Vinod Kumar pointed out that the Skill University was structured on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and currently lacks recognition from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). While clarifying that the BRS does not oppose the establishment of the Skill University itself, he insisted that the existing polytechnic education system should remain independent under the State Board of Technical Education.

The senior BRS leader called on the government to review GO 97 and retain the polytechnic system under the 1982 education framework. He also sought the provision of special colleges to facilitate engineering admissions for polytechnic diploma holders through the Engineering Common Entrance Test (ECET).

Outlining upcoming demonstrations, BRSV president Gellu Srinivas Yadav announced that students will write letters to the Chief Minister on August 26 seeking the repeal of the order. This will be followed by the submission of formal representations to District Collectors across the state on August 31.

Protesting students stated that the administration must cease experimenting with their education and maintain the existing structure, pointing out that a similar policy measure had previously been withdrawn in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.