Colleges shut in Telangana over RTF dues, FATHI draws up protest plans

Several private colleges and Higher Education Institutions in the State were shut on Monday, as part of the indefinite strike call given by Federation of Associations of Telangana Higher Institutions (FATHI) demanding immediate disbursement of Reimbursement of Tuition Fee (RTF) dues by the government.

Notices were stuck outside colleges; students and teaching and non-teaching faculty in large numbers joined demonstrations across districts, and students’ organisations participated in gheraos and sit-ins to amplify the call.

Engineering, Pharmacy, MBA, MCA, B.Ed, and Nursing are among the protesters, FATHI said. According to them, the government’s assurance was to release dues amounting to ₹1,200 crore by Deepavali. However, only ₹300 crore was released.

On Monday, while holding demonstrations, the federation members said they would intensify their approach to pressure the government to act. As part of the plan, the union said, a large meeting with employees of various institutes, students and all stakeholders will be conducted at L.B. Stadium on November 8 (Saturday). About 30,000 participants are expected to take part. It has also given a ‘Long March’ call to the State secretariat. About 10 lakh students and college representatives will march to it on November 11 (Tuesday) to send a strong message to the government.

While its indefinite strike continues, FATHI demanded that the government release ₹5,000 crore, about half of the total RTF dues, as a condition to withdraw the strike and resume college operations.