Telangana colleges’ body urges govt to release pending Rs 900 crore fee reimbursements; warns of protest

The Federation of Associations of Telangana Higher Institutions (FATHI) has urged the state government to release the pending Rs 900 crore fee reimbursements by November 1. It has also warned of holding a state-wise protest on November 3 if the government fails to disburse the overdue amount.

The statement by the federation comes after the government released “only” Rs 357 crore of Rs 12,000 reimbursement fee, citing the difficult situation faced by private colleges across the state.

Jayapal Reddy Thumma, president of Telangana Pharmacy College and vice chairman of FATHI said: “The government must now provide a clear roadmap for the remaining dues and clear payments pending since 2024, covering the last three to four years. They have removed all the tokens, and these need to be restored immediately.”

Also read Agriculture courses in enrolment crisis: 10 Maharashtra colleges shut, over half seats vacant in 44 institutes

We will wait for government's response until Nov 1, says FATHI

According to the statement by FATHI, of the total Rs 12,000 crore due, only around Rs 357 crores have been received so far. The vigilance raids on campuses have also pressurised the colleges, referring to the similar raids in 2018, it added.

“Students’ fingerprint verification has already taken four months, and while the government claimed to have given colleges choices, they cannot do this. Property taxes for colleges have doubled , with even educational buildings being taxed as commercial properties,” Thumma said.

He also expressed that the federation will wait for the government’s response untill November 1, as requested by the deputy CM and if no resolution is reached, it will hold a state-wise protest on November 3.

The federation has asked the government to consider their demands of issuing a strategic plan for release of fee reimbursement on a monthly basis.

“The government should also come up with a plan on how to minimise the expenditure by the government and role of educationists in fee reimbursement with alternative resources to state government,” he added.