The Government Degree College at Yellareddy mandal headquarters has not materialised till date despite 20 acre land having been allotted at the time of its launch five years ago. And although funds were set aside for the college, they have not been utilised for its development.
In fact, the government wanted to make it a model degree college and hurriedly made the announcement in response to popular demand before the by-election to the constituency in 2008. The then Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, during his election campaign in the town, announced his commitment to setting up the college.
Accordingly, funds for the college were sanctioned and classes began in the following academic year at the Government Junior College. Since then, junior college classes have been running from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. while degree classes are held in the afternoon.
Five years have passed since the college started and two batches graduated from the degree college, which still does not have a permanent building or sufficient teaching and non-teaching staff. With the exception of four regular lecturers and a few non-teaching staff, the college is being run with contract lecturers and office staff.
It has no laboratories for B.Sc students and two batches graduated without proper lab experience. Over 300 students are pursuing their education in this college amid the poor infrastructure and educational facilities. Though students have been representing their problems to the authorities and elected representatives from time to time, there is no use, said V. Rajendranath, a local scribe working for a vernacular daily.
The government recently released an amount of Rs.8 crore for the construction of college and hostel buildings. Tenders have been finalised and work will begin soon, said E. Ravinder Reddy, MLA. He said a representation had been given to Education Minister G. Jagadeeswar Reddy for the early completion of buildings and recruitment of staff.
Unfortunately, the previous governments did not show an interest in the problems plaguing the college. It may take at least one year to complete the buildings and overcome teething problems, he added.
Against this backdrop, students have been agitating almost every other day ever since the academic year began, to bring their woes to the notice of the authorities.
To top it all, the college is operating sans a permanent principal. The principal of Government Degree College, Kamareddy, is acting as in-charge with full additional charge.
