Uttam sanctions funds to social welfare school, welcomes new year with students 

Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy allocates funds for school improvements and celebrates New Year with students.

Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has sanctioned ₹10 lakh for furniture, ₹5 lakh for library books, and ₹5 lakh for improving sports facilities from his MLA funds to the Social Welfare Residential Junior College in Huzurnagar. He marked New Year’s Eve by celebrating with the students.

Highlighting the role of integrated residential schools in transforming Telangana’s education system, the minister emphasised that these institutions, equipped with modern facilities, would provide students from SC, ST, BC, and minority communities with a competitive edge at the national level. He described this as part of the Congress government’s vision for accessible and equitable education.

The minister joined the students for dinner, interacted with them, and shared moments of camaraderie to usher in the new year. He spoke about the government’s flagship ‘Young India Integrated Residential School Complexes’ initiative. The first such school, being constructed at Gaddipalli at a cost of ₹200 crore, will serve as a model institution. Phase I of the project includes 28 schools, with 26 more planned in Phase II.

Mr. Uttam Kumar Reddy highlighted reforms in student welfare under the Congress government, including a 40% increase in diet charges for welfare hostel students and a 200% hike in cosmetic allowances. From January, all government schools and hostels will serve fine rice to improve meal quality.

The minister expressed pride in the ‘Common Diet Menu’ programme, which ensures standardised, nutritious meals for nearly 8 lakh students across the State. He also detailed efforts to prepare students for top professional courses like IITs and MBBS, supported by the recruitment of over 11,000 teachers through a Mega DSC, with plans to hire 6,000 more.