Private degree and postgraduate colleges across Telangana have announced plans to shut down indefinitely starting September 16 if the state government does not release long pending fee reimbursement dues. The dues are estimated to be around ₹1,800 crore, which institutions say has pushed them into a severe financial crisis.
The Telangana Private Colleges Managements Association stated that despite repeated assurances, the government has failed to clear the arrears. Some token amounts have been generated digitally in the treasury system, but the money has not been released into college accounts, creating a cash flow crunch.
College managements argue that the delay has made it impossible to pay salaries to teaching and non-teaching staff, settle electricity bills, or manage day-to-day expenses. With the academic year already underway, they say they cannot continue operations without government support.
Association leaders also warned that the shutdown will directly affect thousands of students, particularly those from economically weaker backgrounds who depend on the fee reimbursement scheme to pursue higher education. “We are not against students, but the government must realize that institutions cannot run without funds,” one representative said.
The association has demanded immediate release of dues and a permanent mechanism to ensure timely reimbursements in the future. They also appealed to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to personally intervene and resolve the issue before September 16 to avoid disruption of academic activities.
Meanwhile, student unions have expressed concern, saying that indefinite closures could damage academic calendars and future placements. They urged both the government and colleges to find a middle ground without putting students’ futures at risk.
The next few days are expected to be critical, as talks between the association and government officials may determine whether the shutdown goes ahead.
