The ongoing agitation by student and unemployed associations in Andhra Pradesh over alleged irregularities in DSC recruitments, unemployment allowance, and pending fee reimbursement dues may now receive support at the national level. Representatives of the Andhra Pradesh Students and Unemployed JAC met Neha Bora, national president of the All India Students Association (AISA) and a PhD scholar at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and submitted a memorandum highlighting the problems faced by students and unemployed youth in the state.
DSC Candidates Highlight Recruitment Irregularities
A delegation led by Unemployed JAC Convener MBETI Ramachandra, along with DSC-affected candidates, met Neha Bora and explained the difficulties being faced by unemployed youth and students in Andhra Pradesh. They said candidates who were affected by the DSC recruitment process had been staging protests in various forms for nearly a year, but the government had not yet ordered a comprehensive investigation into the alleged irregularities.
The delegation brought several issues to her attention, including alleged irregularities in the sports quota, accusations of a question paper leak, and instances where candidates whose names appeared in the merit list were reportedly left out of the final selection list.
Demand for CBI Probe into DSC Recruitment
The representatives demanded that the government immediately order a CBI investigation into the allegations and doubts surrounding the DSC recruitment process. They also appealed to Neha Bora to extend national-level support to unemployed youth in Andhra Pradesh and raise the issue on a wider platform.
Unemployment Allowance Promise
The delegation also raised the issue of the unemployment allowance promised by the coalition government during the elections. They said the government had promised to provide an unemployment allowance of ₹3,000 per month until unemployed youth secured jobs.
According to the representatives, the government has not provided clarity on the implementation of this promise after coming to power, leading to growing dissatisfaction among young people.
₹9,000 Crore Fee Reimbursement Dues
Pending fee reimbursement dues were another major issue raised during the meeting. The representatives claimed that fee reimbursement dues of around ₹9,000 crore were pending and alleged that some colleges were putting pressure on students because of the delayed payments.
They urged the government to immediately release the pending funds and ensure that students do not face difficulties because of the delay.
The meeting was attended by the Unemployed JAC co-convener and secretary, along with DSC-affected candidates including Aadi Lakshmi and others.
Neha Bora Promises National-Level Support
Speaking on the occasion, Neha Bora assured the representatives that she would stand with the students of Andhra Pradesh and raise their demands at the national level. She said the fight would continue over issues affecting students and unemployed youth, ranging from allegations surrounding DSC recruitments to pending fee reimbursement dues.
She expressed solidarity with the protesters, stating, “Your struggle is our struggle.”
Political Significance of National Support
Neha Bora’s decision to extend support to the Andhra Pradesh DSC issue assumes political significance, particularly as she has previously participated in student movements and raised student-related issues at the national level.
Student and unemployed associations believe that support from a national-level student organisation could bring greater attention to the allegations surrounding the DSC recruitment process and lead to a wider public debate.
Opposition Also Raises Issues
The DSC recruitment controversy, pending fee reimbursement dues and the unemployment allowance issue have already been raised by the opposition YSRCP, which has been questioning the coalition government over its handling of these matters.
Against this backdrop, Neha Bora’s support for the student and unemployed associations could potentially increase political pressure on the coalition government. The development is therefore being closely watched in political circles as the agitation over student and unemployed youth issues continues.
