₹1,200 Cr fees reimbursements are cleared: Minister Lokesh to the council

Andhra Pradesh Minister for IT and Industries, Nara Lokesh, addressed the Legislative Council on measures taken by the government to clear pending student fee reimbursements, regularize university admissions, and review welfare initiatives.

Minister Lokesh stated that when the previous YSR Congress Party administration left office with around ₹4,000 crore in fee reimbursement dues were pending. Since assuming office, the NDA government has cleared ₹1,200 crore and plans to disburse ₹1,400 crore over the next three months.

Regarding higher education, Lokesh noted that the YSR Architecture and Fine Arts University had admitted two batches of students without following standard permissions or procedural requirements. These irregularities required coordination with central authorities, and some matters are currently under judicial review. The government indicated that 4,300 university positions will be filled according to proper procedures once legal matters are resolved.

Minister Lokesh also outlined plans to complete ongoing university infrastructure projects and review welfare schemes such as the “Thalli Ki Vandanam” program for ASHA and Anganwadi workers, with cabinet decisions pending. The Minister emphasized that these steps aim to ensure administrative compliance, timely disbursement of benefits, and proper implementation of welfare schemes.

Here’s the plotted graph showing pending fee reimbursement arrears vs allocations/cleared amounts from 2014–2025:

• Solid lines with Circles line: Pending arrears over the years

• Grey bars : Allocations or cleared amounts for context

It clearly shows the gradual rise under TDP, sharper increase under YSRCP, and the current government’s partial disbursement in 2024–25 (April-24 to Sep-25).