*18 hostel tragedies in 20 months show govt cruel neglect towards students*

Tadepalli, Feb 9: YSRCP SC Cell State President and former MLA TJR Sudhakar Babu expressed serious anger over government’s negligence causing severe suffering for students in welfare hostels, stating that 18 major incidents across the state in the past 20 months led to student deaths and thousands falling ill. He said these incidents reflect the “cruel mindset” of the government led by N. Chandrababu Naidu toward students’ welfare. Speaking at the party central office in Tadepalli, he criticized the coalition government for running on “lies and deception” and failing to implement any of the promised Super Six welfare assurances, while even nutritious midday meals are not being properly provided. He cited a recent incident in Devarapalli tribal boys’ hostel in Polavaram district where 89 students fell sick after consuming poorly prepared food, and held Education Minister Nara Lokesh and the concerned welfare ministers responsible.
Sudhakar Babu contrasted this with the previous YSRCP government under Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, saying crores were spent on student welfare, quality food, and hostel facilities, whereas conditions have now deteriorated. He questioned the government’s claims of improving living standards when electricity charges, bus fares, and essential commodity prices have sharply risen. He also accused the government of pushing Visakhapatnam Steel Plant toward privatization and failing to protect workers’ interests, challenging Naidu and Pawan Kalyan to secure a clear assurance from the Prime Minister against privatization. He further alleged that beyond rising debts there is no visible development, Amaravati remains incomplete despite huge spending claims, farmers who gave land have not received plots, and employment claims lack transparency. He said the government is misleading people with exaggerated technology and job figures, and asserted that instead of changing laws, “it is Chandrababu who must be changed.”