After days of shutdowns and mounting pressure, private colleges across Telangana have ended their indefinite strike. This comes after the state government, led by Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, announced an immediate release of ₹600 crore toward pending fee reimbursement dues. Representatives from the Federation of Associations of Telangana Higher Educational Institutions (FATHI) confirmed that classes will resume from Tuesday.
What Led to the Strike
- Over 2,000 private colleges had announced an indefinite closure starting September 15, calling it a “Black Day” in protest of delayed government payments.
- The colleges had sought ₹1,200 crore in pending fee reimbursement dues, claiming they were under severe financial stress and struggling to pay faculty salaries and maintain operations.
- The protest included many types of institutions degree, professional, engineering, pharmacy, MBA/MCA, etc. Many students and staff were affected by the lack of funds.
Government’s Decision
- Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka, in talks with FATHI representatives, committed to releasing ₹600 crore immediately toward the dues for which payment tokens had already been issued.
- The government said the remaining ₹600 crore (to complete the ₹1,200 crore demand) will be cleared in phases, with assurances for faster release and more orderly disbursement in future cycles.
Reforms for Transparency and Streamlining
- A joint committee will be formed, including government officials and college representatives, to oversee and streamline the fee reimbursement process.
- Distribution will be equitable among colleges that have pre-approved tokens to avoid only a few institutions getting most of the funds.
- The government also announced plans to introduce technological tools and better tracking of payments to ensure transparency.
Responses from Colleges
- College managements welcomed the decision and agreed to call off the strike following the government’s assurances.
- FATHI expressed relief that an immediate relief has been provided and committed to working with the government on implementing reforms to avoid similar crises in future.
What Happens Next
- Classes are expected to resume from Tuesday across private colleges in the state.
- The government must execute its promise release of the remaining dues and formation of the committee to oversee the process.
- Monitoring of the process will be crucial: ensuring payments reach the colleges on time, preventing further backlog.
