Andhra Pradesh minister seeks clarity on nativity of students

Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh education minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao on Wednesday sought clarity from the Telangana government on the definition of nativity and how it planned to differentiate “local” Andhra students from Telangana students.

The Andhra Pradesh government expected the Telangana government to reimburse the fees for all the students in the new state, irrespective of their nativity, he said. This was after the TRS government on Monday categorically stated that it would bear the burden of only those hailing from Telangana.
Mr Rao, however, reassured “local” Andhra students in Hyderabad that their interests would be taken care of amid heightening confusion on the issue of fee reimbursement.

Talking to reporters on Wednesday at the state headquarters, the Andhra HRD minister said, “We expect the Telangana government to take care of all students studying in their jurisdiction and vice- versa in Andhra Pradesh. But if that is done, the financial burden on Telangana government will be higher so we are willing to step in.”

He added, “They have to tell us how they plan to differentiate Andhra students from Telangana students. How will they define nativity of a student? The Telangana government has to clear the air over this.” He also stated that if the clarity sought was not given, then he would meet with his Telangana counterpart to end the stalemate. Mr Rao also announced that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu would hold a meeting on the fee reimbursement policy to be adopted by his government in the context of the ongoing crisis.