Telangana Colleges Go on Indefinite Strike Over ₹10,000 Crore Fee Reimbursement Dues
Hyderabad, : Higher education across Telangana has been thrown into turmoil as nearly 2,000 private colleges — including engineering, pharmacy, MBA, and degree institutions — have launched an indefinite strike over the government’s failure to clear ₹10,000 crore in pending fee reimbursements under the Reimbursement of Tuition Fee (RTF) and Maintenance Fee (MTF) schemes.
The protest, spearheaded by the Federation of Associations of Telangana Higher Institutions (FATHI), has resulted in widespread closure of colleges and disruption of classes, leaving thousands of students stranded and uncertain about ongoing examinations.
Colleges Boycott Semester Exams
The strike intensified on Tuesday as nearly 2,000 colleges boycotted semester-II examinations, particularly those under Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad (JNTUH).
According to university data, 52 pharmacy colleges affiliated with JNTUH joined the boycott, while only nine government colleges went ahead with exams as scheduled. Attendance remained poor, with only 12% of students appearing.
Despite the mass boycott, JNTUH has announced that examinations will continue as planned. FATHI, however, has vowed to maintain the strike until the government releases at least 50% of the pending dues and provides a clear payment roadmap for the remainder.
Government Responds with 15-Member Panel
In a bid to defuse tensions, the Telangana government has constituted a 15-member committee to identify sustainable funding solutions for the fee reimbursement scheme.
The panel is chaired by Special Chief Secretary (Welfare) Sabyasachi Ghosh and co-chaired by Principal Secretary (Finance) Sandeep Kumar Sultania, with members including Professor Kancha Ilaiah, Professor Kodandaram, and three FATHI representatives.
The committee will design a “Trust Bank” model for transparent fund management and submit its report within three months.
Protests to Intensify
FATHI leaders have announced that the agitation will continue until the government releases ₹5,000 crore immediately. Plans are underway for mass rallies, including a statewide protest at LB Stadium on November 8 and a ‘Long March’ to the State Secretariat on November 11, expected to draw lakhs of students and faculty members.
Student unions have extended full support, highlighting that the delay in reimbursements has resulted in unpaid staff salaries and withholding of student certificates, severely impacting academic continuity and morale.
As the standoff escalates, Telangana’s higher education sector faces one of its biggest financial and administrative crises, testing the government’s ability to restore stability and trust among institutions and students alike.
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