VIJAYAWADA: Chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday paid Rs 693.81 crore directly into the accounts of the mothers of 10.97 lakh students pursuing higher studies. The money is paid under the second tranche of Jagananna Vidya Deevena.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said the state government had spent Rs 5,573 crore for fee reimbursement through Vidya Deevena scheme since 2019. This was in addition to clearing Rs 1,880 crore pending dues of the previous government, he added.
He said the scheme has been designed to make education accessible to the poor, creating an opportunity for those students, who want to pursue higher education without burdening their families. He added that education is the real wealth which can be given to the future generation to eradicate poverty.
Jagan Mohan Reddy said as per 2011 census, the state has 33 per cent illiteracy while it is 27 per cent in the country. Drawing comparison with the BRICS nations on student enrolment for higher studies, he said that Brazil (51.8 per cent), Russia (83.4 per cent) and China (83.4 per cent) are ahead of India which has only 27 per cent.
The chief minister said that the state government has been committed to the education sector and thus rolled out schemes like Jagananna Amma Vodi, Goru Mudha, Vidya Kanuka, Vasati Deevena to ensure that no family runs into debts because of education. The government has spent Rs 26,677 crore on education alone, he added.
Speaking on the occasion, the CM said the state had spent Rs 5,573 crore for fee reimbursement through Vidya Deevena scheme since 2019
