AMARAVATI: Opposition YSR Congress Party in Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council on Tuesday raised the issue of fee reimbursement dues and demanded the TDP-led coalition government to release the same immediately.
YSRCP MLCs moved an adjournment motion for a discussion on the issue, but it was rejected by Chairman K. Moshenu Raju.
The House witnessed an exchange of words between Education Minister Nara Lokesh and Leader of Opposition Botsa Satyanarayana.
The YSRCP leader took exception to certain words used by Lokesh and insisted on a debate. Lokesh countered him by claiming that the previous government of YSRCP had kept Rs 4, 000 crore dues pending.
Lokesh told YSRCP that the dues were pending since Covid. He remarked that YSRCP moving an adjournment motion on the issue after keeping such a huge amount pending is ridiculous.
The minister also reminded Botsa Satyanarayana that the dues mounted when he was the education minister.
Stating that Rs 1, 200 crore was released after the coalition government came to power, Lokesh told the House that the remaining dues would be cleared in three months.
Lokesh spoke on the issue to give details of the dues during the YSRCP rule, even as the Chairman reminded him that the adjournment motion on the issue was rejected.
The minister said the government was ready for a debate on the issue, provided it was raised in a proper format.