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Telangana College Crisis: Private Colleges Plan Strike Over Rs 900 Crore Fee Arrears

Private professional colleges in Telangana are gearing up for another indefinite strike starting November 3. They're demanding the state government release pending fee reimbursement arrears totaling at least Rs 900 crore. This marks the second strike threat after a previous one was called off following government assurances. The colleges have set a November 1 deadline for the government to act before they shut down institutions.

Key Points: Telangana Private Colleges Strike Over Fee Reimbursement Arrears

  • Private colleges demand Rs 900 crore in pending fee reimbursement arrears
  • Strike involves engineering, pharma, nursing and MBA colleges
  • Government previously released only Rs 200 crore of promised Rs 600 crore
  • Colleges threaten 'Chalo Hyderabad' protest with students if demands unmet
2 min read

Private colleges in Telangana plan strike from Nov 3 over fee reimbursement

Private colleges in Telangana threaten indefinite strike from November 3 over pending Rs 900 crore fee reimbursement arrears, demanding government action.

"They demanded that the government release the arrears of at least Rs 900 crore before November 1 - FATHI Statement"

Hyderabad, Oct 22

Private professional colleges in Telangana have again decided to go on indefinite strike from November 3 to demand that the state government release free reimbursement arrears.

Federation of Associations of Telangana Higher Education (FATHI) on Wednesday sent strike notices to Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and Chief Secretary Ramakrishna Rao.

They demanded that the government release the arrears of at least Rs 900 crore before November 1, failing which they will be forced to shut the colleges from November 3.

The Federation had earlier set an October 12 deadline for the government to release the arrears and had threatened to go on strike from October 13.

The colleges, including engineering, pharma, nursing, MBA, MCA, and B.Ed colleges, had launched an indefinite strike on September 15, but following the assurance from the government, they called off the strike the same day.

FATHI said Deputy Chief Minister Vikramarka, who led the group of ministers in the talks with them, had given an assurance that Rs 600 crore would be released on September 21-22 towards free reimbursement arrears, but only Rs 200 crore was released.

They said the Deputy Chief Minister had also given the assurance that the Rs 1,200 crore arrears will be released by Diwali.

FATHI had also made it clear that further talks on arrears would be held only with the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).

They also stated that, if necessary, they would undertake the ‘Chalo Hyderabad’ protest along with the students.

The Federation had said last month that fee reimbursement arrears to the tune of Rs 10,000 crore are pending. It had sought the immediate release of Rs 1,200 crore pertaining to already generated tokens.

Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar alleged that the government is playing with the future of students by not releasing the fee reimbursement arrears.

He accused the government of resorting to blackmail to silence the managements of colleges. Stating that the BJP will stand by the colleges, he asked them not to postpone their strike.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
₹10,000 crore pending? That's massive! No wonder colleges are struggling. But strikes affect students the most. Government needs to find a permanent solution.
A
Arjun K
The government promised before Diwali and now again delaying? This is becoming a pattern. Students' futures are at stake here.
S
Sarah B
While I understand the colleges' frustration, I wish they'd consider alternative methods. Strikes disrupt the entire academic calendar and students suffer the consequences.
V
Vikram M
This fee reimbursement scheme is great for economically weaker students, but if the government can't fund it properly, they should reconsider the policy. Better to have realistic promises than broken ones.
M
Michael C
The BJP minister supporting the strike is interesting politics. But ultimately, it's the students who are caught in the middle. Hope they resolve this before Nov 3! 🙏

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