The Congress will win Kadapa byelections but will face a stiff fight, said the Union minister of state for human resource department, Mrs D. Purandeswari. Talking to the reporters after inaugurating several developmental works here on Sunday, Mrs Purandeswari said the welfare schemes launched by former chief minister late Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy were being fulfilled by the present government and there was no negligence as being claimed by some leaders.

She said her ministry was focusing on the literacy drive and there was proposals to open model schools in all the districts. She said 80 per cent literacy was required to hasten the developmental process in the country. “India presently has only 65 per cent and in high education it is only 12.5 per cent against a required 20 per cent,” she said, and added that efforts were on to establish Central University in Visakhapatnam and Tribal University would become a reality next year.

Regarding funds to state universities from University Grants Commission (UGC), the Union minister said there was no partisan attitude and funds were being sanctioned as per the proposals sent by the concerned vice-chancellors. Local MP Mrs Botsa Jhansi Lakshmi and MLC Mr G. Srinivasulu were present.