Admit Telangana Students in AP Sainik Schools: Ponnam Prabhakar

Ponnam Prabhakar | Photo Credit: Nagara Gopal

Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar has urged the Central government and the Andhra Pradesh government to admit Telangana students under the local category status in the A.P. Sainik Schools till a new Sainik School was sanctioned to the State.

Mr. Prabhakar said that about 20,000 aspirants from Telangana are in a dilemma about their future after appearing for the Sainik School entrance exam. The students should not be punished for a delayed policy decision by the Central government.

The Ministry of Defence and the A.P. government have reportedly decided to remove local status for Telangana students in A.P. Sainik Schools as 10 years have been completed after the State was bifurcated.

Though the local status is removed in other professional courses like engineering, medical and agriculture, it has not hurt the students as there are enough colleges in both the States to meet the demand. However, there is no Sainik School in Telangana hitting the career plans of young students.

Mr. Prabhakar reminded that almost every State in the country has its own Sainik School. Telangana is yet to get one despite the promises made. He requested Union Ministers Bandi Sanjay and Kishan Reddy, belonging to Telangana, to intervene and speak to the Centre and the A.P. government to allow local status for the State students.

BJP MP from Medak M Raghunandan Rao was apprised of the issue by the parents and he took it upe with the Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth. He submitted a representation seeking the continuation of eligibility for Telangana students in A.P. Sainik Schools.