Osmania University affiliated colleges demand immediate postponement of semester exams

HYDERABAD: The Telangana Private Degree and PG Colleges Management Association (TPDPGMA) has demanded the immediate postponement of degree semester examinations scheduled to begin on Tuesday under the jurisdiction of Osmania University.

Citing the state government’s failure to clear pending fee reimbursement dues, the association stated that college managements are no longer in a position to continue operations or conduct exams. A formal representation was submitted to Osmania University Registrar Professor Naresh Reddy on the matter.

Speaking to the media, representatives of the association expressed anguish that fee reimbursement dues have remained unpaid for four years. They said that as a result, college managements are facing severe financial difficulties.

They recalled that the government had earlier instructed colleges not to collect fees from students, assuring that fees would be paid through the Reimbursement of Tuition Fee (RTF) scheme. Trusting this assurance, colleges reportedly borrowed money, sold assets, and continued to provide quality education while also offering employment opportunities to many.

Now, they said, the managements are struggling with mounting debts, pressure from landlords over unpaid rent, demands from staff for salaries, refusal of support from employees, and increasing daily operational costs.

No Relief Despite Repeated Appeals

The representatives noted that since March last year, they had repeatedly approached officials and political leaders to highlight their plight but received no concrete response.

With no relief in sight, many college managements were unable to reopen after the Dasara holidays starting October 14, they said. While a small portion of the dues was reportedly released on October 17, they claimed that not even 20 percent of the total dues have been paid.

The association questioned how colleges could be expected to operate under such dire financial conditions. They urged the government to immediately release the pending dues and bring an end to their crisis.

They also said that they had brought the issue to the attention of senior government officials and appealed for the semester exams to be postponed for a few days in light of the situation.