Telangana Polytechnic Staff Boycott Talks Over Young India Skills University Merger

The Telangana Polytechnic Joint Action Committee (TP-JAC) boycotted a scheduled meeting with Technical Education department officials in Hyderabad on Friday, continuing their agitation against the State government’s move to merge polytechnics with the Young India Skills University (YISU).

The boycott took place after two previous rounds of discussions failed to produce any positive resolution. Representatives from the TP-JAC stated that they were invited to discuss concerns surrounding the institutional merger but decided to abstain because the administration offered only verbal assurances instead of formal written commitments.

A TP-JAC office bearer stated that the government has given oral assurances regarding the protection of interests for staff and students, but has refused to provide these in writing. The joint action committee reiterated its core demands, insisting that the government must either completely revoke Government Order (GO) 97 or remove clause 4, which integrates polytechnic institutions with YISU, before protests can conclude.

Separately, Shakti Minister Dr. G. Vivek Venkatswamy visited students protesting at the Government Polytechnic in Masab Tank, Hyderabad. During the interaction, the minister assured the students that the Engineering Common Entrance Test (ECET) would be conducted for polytechnic candidates.

However, student organisation AIDSO affirmed that the demonstrations will continue until the government formally withdraws the order merging polytechnics with the Shakti department and resolves all outstanding demands.