Hyderabad, 21 August
Polytechnic Students Stop Telangana Minister’s Convoy Over GO 97
Students in Nalgonda urge Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy to halt implementation of GO 97, saying the restructuring could affect diploma students’ higher education opportunities.
Polytechnic students in Nalgonda stopped the convoy of Telangana Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy on Friday, August 21, and urged the government to reconsider the implementation of Government Order 97 (GO 97).
The incident took place near the Clock Tower in Nalgonda, as protests against the government order continue across Telangana.
One of the students told the minister that implementing GO 97 could affect the value and future prospects of their diplomas, particularly their ability to secure admissions into their preferred higher education courses.
“If the GO is implemented, our diploma would be rendered useless, and we can’t get admissions into desired courses,” the student told the minister.
Responding to the concern, Venkat Reddy said the government had taken initiatives to provide employment opportunities to students from different educational streams.
Why are polytechnic students protesting against GO 97?
Polytechnic students across Telangana have been protesting against GO 97, which provides for changes to the administrative structure governing polytechnic colleges and brings them under the newly formed Shakti department.
The government issued the order on July 3, renaming the Labour, Employment, Training and Factories Department as SHAKTI — Skill, Human Capital and Knowledge Training Initiatives.
The restructuring also brings polytechnic colleges under the ambit of the Young India Skill University.
Students have expressed concerns that the proposed changes could affect the identity of polytechnic education, diploma recognition and their opportunities for higher education.
Protests reported across Hyderabad
The agitation has spread to several parts of Telangana.
Earlier this week, polytechnic students staged protests at Ramanthapur and Musi Tank Bund in Hyderabad. Protests were also reportedly held in Ramnaspura and Bahadurpura.
The demonstrations caused traffic congestion on several stretches of Hyderabad.
Telangana government announces task force
Amid the continuing protests, Telangana Labour Minister Vivek Venkataswamy announced on Thursday that the government would constitute a joint coordination task force to oversee the proposed administrative restructuring of polytechnic education.
The task force will include representatives from key technical education bodies, polytechnic lecturers and other stakeholders.
Addressing the media at the Telangana Secretariat, the minister said the restructuring was aimed at strengthening polytechnic education by aligning skill development and technical training with industry requirements and improving employment opportunities for students.
Government says diploma courses will continue unchanged
Venkataswamy said GO 97 shifts polytechnic colleges from the Commissionerate of Technical Education (CTE) to the Commissionerate of Employment and Training (CET).
According to the minister, the move is an administrative restructuring and is not intended to weaken polytechnic education or change its identity.
He said the existing three-year AICTE-recognised diploma courses would continue without changes to their duration, recognition or academic structure.
The government-fixed fees will also remain unchanged, he said, adding that students and parents would not face any additional financial burden.
SBTET to be reorganised
As part of the proposed restructuring, the State Board of Technical Education and Training (SBTET) will be reorganised into two divisions.
The polytechnic wing will function as a separate unit under the Commissionerate of Employment and Training.
Venkataswamy also clarified that key academic activities, including polytechnic admissions, examinations and diploma examinations, would continue under the new arrangement.
The government’s assurances come as students continue to demand greater clarity over GO 97 and its impact on polytechnic education and future academic opportunities in Telangana.