Fee reimbursement crisis: Telangana private colleges threaten indefinite closure from Nov 3

Hyderabad: The Telangana Federation of Higher Education Institutions (TFHEI) on Sunday announced that private colleges across the state will be shut down indefinitely from November 3 if the State government does not release the remaining fee reimbursement dues by November 1.

Rs 900 crore still unpaid

Addressing the media on October 26, TFHEI chairman N Ramesh Babu said that the government has released only Rs 300 crore out of the total Rs 1,200 crore dues pending under the fee reimbursement scheme.

“Out of Rs 1,200 crore outstanding fees reimbursement dues, the State government has disbursed only Rs 300 crore till now, and Rs 900 crore has been pending,” he stated.

He recalled that Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka had earlier announced on September 15 that Rs 600 crore would be released immediately. However, he said that commitment has not been fulfilled yet.

Impact on students

Ramesh Babu warned that halting operations would affect thousands of students who depend on private institutions for higher education.

“If the colleges were shut down indefinitely, the future of thousands of students will hang in a limbo,” he noted.

He added that the federation has been forced to consider this action due to a lack of government support. “There is no cooperation from the government, and even the ministers are not helping,” he said.

Public meeting planned on November 20

The TFHEI has also threatened to mobilise stakeholders if the dues remain unpaid. Ramesh Babu said a large-scale public protest is planned: “If the government failed to address the demands of the private colleges, a massive public meeting with 2 lakh people will be held on November 20.”

Police intervention alleged

He accused authorities of trying to pressure the federation and its members.

“The State government has resorted to intimidation tactics using police against me,” he claimed. Asserting that the stand-off may escalate, he added, “No police personnel will be allowed to enter the colleges.”

Awaiting government response

The State government has not yet issued an official statement responding to TFHEI’s warning. Colleges and students are now awaiting clarity before the November 1 deadline set by the federation.