The National Backward Classes Welfare Association has demanded that the State government sanction 100 BC college hostels and 100 BC residential schools (Gurukuls) and construct permanent buildings for government hostels and Gurukul institutions across Telangana.

Participating at a protest at Dharna Chowk near Indira Park here on Sunday, Rajya Sabha member and association president R. Krishnaiah alleged that the proposed sale of government land was not in the public interest and urged the government to utilise such land for educational and welfare infrastructure instead.

He stated that the BC Welfare Department was running 325 college hostels in the State, but several of them still lacked their own buildings. Many Gurukul institutions established years ago also did not have permanent campuses, he said.

Mr. Krishnaiah said government land should be reserved for educational and welfare purposes rather than being auctioned. Strengthening hostel and residential school infrastructure would help improve educational opportunities for students from backward classes, he added.

The association demanded better facilities for students pursuing professional and higher education courses, including engineering, pharmacy, postgraduate and other programmes.

Among other demands, the association called for increased financial assistance to hostel students and the appointment of adequate kitchen and support staff in hostels, maintaining that existing manpower was insufficient to meet students’ needs.