Fee reimbursement dues: private colleges in Telangana to shut down indefinitely from Monday

The Federation of Associations of Telangana Higher Institutions (FATHI) has announced that all private professional colleges across the State will remain closed indefinitely from September 15, 2025, observing Engineer’s Day as a Black Day in protest against the State government’s failure to release long-pending fee reimbursement dues.

The Federation held its general body meeting on Sunday (September 14), and expressed deep concern over the financial crisis gripping thousands of private colleges in Telangana. Despite repeated representations, they said, the government had neither provided clarity on pending dues nor placed any concrete proposal during its meeting with college managements.

FATHI chairman N. Ramesh Babu, secretary-general K.S. Ravi Kumar, organising secretary K. Sunil Kumar and treasurer K. Krishna Rao demanded immediate release of ₹1,200 crore, already sanctioned in the budget, before Dussehra, and also clearance of all pending dues from previous years by December 31, 2025.

The meeting also argued for a new government policy on fee reimbursement for 2025-26 academic year by December 31 this year. It said the government should come out with a comprehensive policy to address admissions, fee reimbursement, and fee fixation in consultation with managements.

The managements also pointed out that faculty and staff have been working without salaries for several months, leading to severe hardships for families, especially with the festive season approaching. Academic schedules of students have also been disrupted, leaving institutions unable to function effectively.