Telangana private colleges call off indefinite closure after government’s assurance on fee reimbursement

Private professional and degree colleges in Telangana called off indefinite closure after the government assured release of Rs 600 crore in fee reimbursement dues within a week, with the remaining Rs 600 crore to be released before Diwali

Hyderabad: Following assurances from the State government regarding the release of fee reimbursement dues, private professional and degree colleges have called off the indefinite closure that began on Monday, September 15. Colleges would now operate as usual starting Tuesday.

During a meeting convened by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, IT Minister D Sridhar Babu and Education Department officials with representatives of Federation of Associations of Telangana Higher Education Institutions (FATHI), the government agreed to release Rs 600 crore within a week.

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While the State government owes private colleges Rs 8,000 crore in fee reimbursement dues, tokens were issued for Rs 1,207 crore last year, but the amount was never released. Of that total, the private institutions had strongly requested the release of Rs 700 crore during the meeting, with Rs 500 crore for private professional colleges and Rs 200 crore for private degree colleges.

After deliberations, the State government agreed to release Rs 600 crore within a week and the remaining Rs 600 crore before Diwali. However, officials reportedly brought up a vigilance report during the meeting that highlighted irregularities and deficiencies in private colleges.