YS Sharmila demands ₹50 lakh compensation for deceased students’ families

YS Sharmila has sharply criticized Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and the coalition government of TDP, Jana Sena, and BJP for what she calls a “shocking failure” in managing tribal welfare schools. The condemnation comes in the wake of a tragic incident at the Kurupam Tribal Gurukul School, where two girl students died after consuming contaminated drinking water, and 129 children were hospitalized.

Sharmila described the situation as a clear demonstration of the coalition government’s “utter disregard” for tribal children and their welfare. “The government cannot even provide clean drinking water or proper food to children in welfare schools. These are not hostels; they have become breeding grounds for problems,” she said, emphasizing the grave administrative lapse.

She demanded that the families of the deceased children be compensated ₹50 lakh each and called for urgent attention to the critical care of the hospitalized children. She further urged the formation of a high-level committee to investigate the incident and ensure that such tragedies do not occur elsewhere.

“The fact that children tremble at the mere mention of Gurukul schools highlights the dire conditions,” Sharmila said. She warned the government against shifting blame to diseases or other factors to escape responsibility, asserting that the negligence lay entirely with the administration.

Sharmila’s statements come amid growing public outrage over the government’s failure to supervise what children are eating and drinking in welfare institutions. She reiterated that the coalition government’s focus on “grand gestures” masks a deep indifference to the safety and well-being of tribal students.