In an embarrassing incident, Telangana IT Minister KT Rama Rao faced sloganeering from agitated students at a public event in Kothagudem on Tuesday.
The students said that they 'gheraoed' the Minister for the state government's negligent attitude towards their issues.
KTR was in the town to lay the foundation for the Rs 44-crore integrated Collectorate complex spread over 25 acres, at the University College of Engineering, formerly known as Kothagudem School of Mines (KSM) along the Kothagudem Palvancha main road.
The university students who reached the public event, spelled out their grievances as the college had several problems including crumbling infrastructure and lack of faculty in different departments.
While authorities managed to silence the slogans of ‘we want justice’ during the event, the Minister reached out to them after he came off the stage and spoke to the students.
The students poured out their woes and demanded that KTR visit their campus and see their problems.
Responding to their appeal, KTR said, "I will sit one day and review all the problems including infrastructure and faculty and oversee a placement drive with officials and your MLA. However, I need to go now as I'm already one hour late."
Seemingly unconvinced, students continued to protest and shouted anti-government slogans.
The police had to control the students to make the way for the Minister to leave the premises.
Speaking to reporters later, the students expressed their displeasure and claimed that they were being neglected by the government.
KTR on Tuesday later took part in inaugurating several development projects in Kothagudem Municipality and participated in a slew of programmes in the coal town.
He inaugurated the Kothagudem Skill Development Centre near Pragathi Maidan and addressed a gathering of local youths.
Later in the day at Manuguru mandal, he inaugurated a new bridge across Kodipunjulavagu stream besides a drinking water scheme in Manuguru Municipality. He also announced a 2BHK housing colony in the coal hub.
Addressing the public meeting, the Telangana Minister said that his government will ensure that the Bayyaram Steel Plant is set up in the district as this would pave way for employment and development of the entire state.