HYDERABAD: Telugu Desam member K. Atchan Naidu has demanded immediate release of scholarship amount for 1.75 lakh SC, ST and BC students.

Raising the issue during zero hour in the Assembly on Friday, Mr. Naidu said the students' career was at crossroads and they might be forced to discontinue their studies if they did not receive the amount. He charged the Government with showing discrimination towards them as a majority of weaker sections had voted for the TDP in the last elections.

Seats vacant

Nomula Narasimhaiah (CPI -M) wanted the Government not to hike the annual fees for students in private engineering colleges. It was strange that the engineering college managements were seeking a hike, when 30,000 of the 92,000 seats remained vacant. Higher Education Minister P. Koteswara Rao said the hike in fee was decided by a committee and the Government had no role in it.

E. Rajender (TRS) termed the out-of-turn promotions scheme for police officers involved in anti- naxalite operations "unscientific" and required a review. It affected those in Telangana, he said. Christine Lazarus (nominated) demanded extension of exemption from payment of professional tax to all the disabled persons.

Temple irregularities

Panchayat Raj and Endowments Minister J.C. Diwakar Reddy on Friday rejected in the Assembly, the ruling party members' demand for a House Committee's probe into the alleged disappearance of large quantity of gold and silver ornaments and misappropriation of funds of Kamakshi Mallikarjuna temple in Nellore district.

Replying to a short notice question, Mr. Reddy, however, said the Additional Secretary of Endowments Department, would inquire into the charges and submit a report in a fortnight. It would be in addition to the Vigilance and Enforcement Department's inquiry which is in process.

Preliminary report

Based on preliminary report, three Junior Assistants, one Senior Assistant and two attenders were placed under suspension. A criminal case too was filed with the police.

He clarified that 11 kg of gold and 118 kg silver jewellery offered by devotees was safe but the previous Executive Officer did not hand them over to the present EO.

Fifty- two unused ticket books were found. The IAS officer would be asked to inquire into it.

P. Srinivasulu Reddy and A. Ramanarayan Reddy (both Congress) alleged irregularities in the temple. About 25 kg of gold and 500 kg of silver jewellery was missing. Action was taken only against low-level staff while higher officers were spared.

Only House Committee could bring out the truth, they contended.

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