Jagan continues fast on fees reimbursement issue

Hyderabad, Feb 22 (PTI) Former Congress MP Y S JaganMohan Reddy continued his week-long fast for release of fundsfor tuition fees reimbursement in Andhra Pradesh for the fifthday today.

Doctors, who attended on Jagan here, said his sugarlevels have come down and that he needs medical attention.

The 37-year-old was, however, mentally strong anddetermined to continue the fast for one full week, they said.

Jagan loyalist and ex-Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam(TTD) Chairman B Karunakar Reddy said the former Kadapa MPwould observe the fast for seven days as announced by him.

His supporters slammed the state''s Congress Governmentfor not having the courtesy to speak to him or take steps forreleasing the funds.

Meanwhile, Social Welfare Minister P Satyanarayanasaid the Government will abide by the Supreme Court verdict onthe fees reimbursement issue and asked Jagan to end his fast.

The apex court yesterday directed the AP Government topay by June 15 around Rs 3,500 crore as reimbursement toprivate engineering colleges towards fees for the poorstudents.

About 20 Congress MLAs, loyal to Jagan, called on himon February 18 when he started the fast. Some of them havebeen meeting him since then.

The dues in school fees reimbursement are to the tuneof Rs 3,500 crore. The Government has released Rs 1,000 crore.

Professional colleges have threatened to shutdown fromFebruary 24 if the Government failed to release at least50 per cent of the pending funds.