Fee Reimbursement Strike Continues In Telangana
- FATHI insists on 50% dues release before ending college shutdown
- Government committee to study sustainable fee reimbursement model
The indefinite strike by private professional colleges in Telangana over pending fee reimbursement dues will continue, the Federation of Associations of Telangana Higher Institutions (FATHI) confirmed on Wednesday. The managements said they will not end their protest until the state government meets their key demand for the release of 50 per cent of the pending amount.
FATHI president Ramesh Babu told media that the strike had entered its third day. He added that the government had invited the association for discussions but clarified that the agitation would continue until a concrete assurance is given. “We will not withdraw the strike until our demand is met,” he said, reaffirming their firm stance.
The Telangana government recently formed a committee to mobilise resources for the fee-reimbursement programme. It includes officials and FATHI representatives who will explore ways to develop a sustainable model through the Trust Bank system. While FATHI welcomed the move, Ramesh Babu urged the committee to submit its report within one month instead of the three months proposed by the government.
He alleged that recent vigilance raids on colleges showed a “dictatorial attitude.” The federation is planning a massive faculty meeting at LB Stadium in Hyderabad on November 8, where around 70,000 teachers are expected to participate. FATHI has also warned of a large-scale protest involving ten lakh students if the government fails to act.
The association accused Education Commissioner Devasena of harassing college managements and demanded her immediate transfer. According to FATHI, the total arrears under the fee reimbursement scheme have reached Rs 10,000 crore. During talks held in September, the government had assured them that Rs 1,200 crore would be disbursed before Diwali. However, only Rs 300 crore has been released so far.
Nearly 2,000 private professional colleges—including engineering, pharmacy, MBA, MCA, B.Ed, and nursing institutions—have shut down indefinitely in response to FATHI’s call for action. The strike has affected thousands of students across Telangana as uncertainty continues over the government’s next step in resolving the financial dues.
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