Harish Rao Urges Revanth Reddy to Drop Polytechnic Merger Plan with Skill University
Hyderabad, August 27, 2026: BRS leader T Harish Rao has demanded that Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy immediately withdraw the proposal to bring government polytechnic colleges under the Young India Skill University.
Harish Rao questioned the government’s decision to constitute another committee on the issue. He said Telangana should learn from the experience of Andhra Pradesh and Delhi.
“Isn’t your guru your role model in everything?” Harish Rao asked, referring to the government’s stated approach of following Andhra Pradesh’s policies.
He claimed that Andhra Pradesh had realised its decision to bring polytechnic colleges under a skill university was a mistake and subsequently stepped back. He also alleged that a similar experiment in Delhi had failed.
Harish Rao therefore urged the Telangana government to reconsider the move before proceeding further.
The controversy centres on GO 97, which provides for the integration of government polytechnic colleges into the Young India Skill University framework under the Shakti department. The proposal has triggered protests from students and sections of the polytechnic community.
The Telangana Polytechnic Joint Action Committee had recently suspended its protest after the state government constituted a high-level committee for discussions. The students, however, warned that the agitation could resume if GO 97 is not withdrawn.
The issue has also raised concerns about the future of diploma education, fees, academic continuity and lateral-entry opportunities. Students have particularly questioned the move to place the established polytechnic system within a skill-university framework operating under a public-private partnership model.
Government’s Earlier Plan
The Telangana government had announced in September 2024 that ITIs, Advanced Technology Centres and polytechnic colleges would be brought under the Young India Skill University. Revanth Reddy had directed officials to work out the modalities for the integration.
The government has maintained that the broader objective is to align technical and vocational education with industry requirements. Officials were also asked to review courses and improve skill-based training.
Harish Rao, however, is demanding a rethink of the merger plan. He has called for the government to withdraw the proposal and protect the existing polytechnic education system.
The political dispute comes amid continuing protests by polytechnic students across Telangana. On Thursday, Harish Rao was placed under house arrest ahead of a planned visit to Warangal, where he was expected to meet students protesting against GO 97.
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