Hyderabad: Over 1,500 private colleges across Telangana will shut down from Monday as managements launched an indefinite bandh, protesting the government’s failure to clear fee reimbursement dues pending for the past 20 months.
The Telangana Federation of Association of Technical and Higher Educational Institutions (FATHEI) announced the decision after talks with Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka collapsed on Saturday. The federation demanded that the government provide a concrete timeline for clearing arrears.
Telangana private colleges bandh begins after failed talks
During the meeting, Bhatti urged managements not to create disruption, citing the state’s weak financial position. “Don’t act in haste or trouble the government. Your agitation will only hurt your own interests,” he said, according to sources.
However, college representatives expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of assurance. “We’ve submitted representations and even cost-neutral alternatives, but received no result. We are left with no choice but to proceed with the bandh,” they stated.
When asked for a specific timeline, Bhatti said he would be travelling to Delhi and would respond later. College representatives refused to accept the vague response and insisted the bandh would go ahead unless payments begin by Monday.
Semester exams postponed as college bandh begins
The bandh has forced the postponement of scheduled semester exams. Mahatma Gandhi University postponed B.Ed first and fourth semester exams that were to begin Monday, rescheduling them for September 26. Examinations under JNTU, including B.Pharmacy, are also in doubt due to the shutdown.
FATHEI said the bandh will continue until all fee dues are released. In a resolution passed on Sunday, the federation called on member institutions to boycott classes and exam duties from Monday.
A final emergency meeting is scheduled for Monday morning, where further statewide protests may be planned if the government remains unresponsive.
Government offers no clarity despite second round of talks
After Bhatti’s exit from the first round of talks without any commitment, Minister Sridhar Babu and CM’s advisor Vem Narender Reddy held a second round of discussions. Though they reportedly assured that dues would be paid, they failed to provide a timeline or written assurance.
College representatives noted that the government only responded after the bandh was announced, and even then, failed to offer any actionable promise. They warned that institutions offering engineering, nursing, pharmacy, B.Ed, MBA, MCA, and law courses would shut down completely until dues are cleared.
