Private colleges await Rs. 300 cr dues; strike postponed after Telangana govt assurance

The FATHI has postponed its proposed college shutdown from October 13 to October 23 following an assurance from the Chief Minister’s Advisor Vem Narender Reddy that Rs. 300 crore in fee reimbursement dues will be released before Diwali festival.

Hyderabad: The Federation of Associations of Telangana Higher Institutions (FATHI), a body representing private professional colleges in the State, on Wednesday postponed its proposed college shutdown, which was scheduled from October 13, to October 23 over fee reimbursement dues issue.

The federation took this decision after meeting with Advisor to Chief Minister Vem Narender Reddy on Tuesday who assured to release Rs. 300 crore fee reimbursement dues before Diwali festival. Reddy requested the colleges to defer their proposed strike.

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Following assurance, FATHI convened its executive council (EC) meeting and decided to defer its strike until October 23. The colleges will shortly announce a further course of action if the government fails to release dues as assured.

According to FATHI, although the government recently released Rs. 200 crore to higher education institutions ahead of Dasara festival, around 70 minority and general category colleges have not received any funds.

The managements of private professional colleges have been asked to submit details of dues owed to them over the last four academic years (2021–22 to 2024–25) to the FATHI head office.