Telangana HC questions Government over non-payment of fee reimbursement to colleges

Justice Juvvadi Sridevi of the Telangana High Court pulled up the State Government for failing to clear crores of rupees in admitted fee reimbursement dues to private colleges. Hearing petitions from engineering institutions, the Court sought a clear stand and directed the Government to furnish clarification by Thursday.

By Our Legal Correspondent

Hyderabad: Justice Juvvadi Sridevi of the Telangana High Court on Wednesday once again questioned the State Government over the continued non-payment of fee reimbursement dues to private educational institutions, asking how admitted dues running into crores of rupees could be kept pending indefinitely.

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Hearing a batch of petitions filed by several engineering colleges challenging certain provisions of G.O.Ms. No.7 dated April 29, 2026, the Judge orally observed, “You do not clear the dues and at the same time, how can the institutions be prevented from collecting fees from students? How can students be admitted without payment of fees?”

The Court was informed that despite earlier directions, the State had not furnished a clear explanation regarding the timeline for clearing admitted dues under Clause XIV of the Government Order, which provides for continuation of the existing mechanism for settlement of pending fee reimbursement amounts through institutions.

Expressing concern over the uncertainty surrounding payment of the dues, Justice Sridevi directed the State Government to place on record a clear stand on the issue and furnish the necessary clarification by Thursday.

The matter was adjourned for further hearing to Thursday, while the interim suspension of Clause XII of the Government Order, which restrains institutions from insisting upon payment of fees at the time of admission was extended.