Harish Rao visits ailing Gurukul student Leelavathi

Former Minister Harish Rao, accompanied by Opposition Leader Madhusudhan Chari and former ministers Sabitha Indra Reddy and Sunitha Lakshma Reddy, visited NIMS Hospital to meet Leelavathi, a student from a tribal Gurukula school at Tandur in Vikarabad district, who has been undergoing treatment after a food poisoning incident.  
Harish Rao expressed deep anguish over the plight of the student and her family. He lamented that the girl, who should have been enjoying her school days with friends, was now lying silently on a hospital bed. “It is heartbreaking to see her in such a condition. I pray for her speedy recovery,” he said.  
The former minister criticised the Congress government for its failure to address recurring food poisoning incidents in welfare schools and hostels. He pointed out that on December 10, 15 students fell ill after consuming food at the Tandur tribal ashram school, and despite their deteriorating condition, they were kept in the hostel without proper medical care for four days.  
Harish further highlighted the government’s negligence in handling such crises, citing multiple incidents of food poisoning, dog bites, snake bites, and other avoidable mishaps in Gurukula schools. “The government’s indifference has turned welfare schools into crisis centers. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s promises to take strict action against those serving contaminated food have proven hollow,” he said.  
Drawing attention to the State’s failure to ensure basic facilities, Harish criticided the government for withholding salaries for hostel staff, failing to clear pending bills, and neglecting essential needs such as warm water and proper clothing for students during winter. “Even in their own districts, government schools and hostels are left neglected. How many more lives need to be lost before this government wakes up?” he asked.  
Harish also condemned the government’s celebratory events amid ongoing crises in welfare schools. “The government’s focus on publicity over student welfare is disgraceful. Instead of addressing these issues, they choose to blame wardens and principals for systemic failures,” he added.  
Harish demanded immediate measures, including shifting affected students to NIMS for better medical care if necessary. He also urged the government to provide financial and emotional support to Leelavathi’s family, who are in distress over her condition. “It is time for the government to stop posing for photos and start delivering hot meals and proper care to these students,” he said.  
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