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Private professional colleges, which began an indefinite closure of institutions from Monday over outstanding fee reimbursement payments, have announced a 'Chalo Secretariat' march involving ten lakh students on November 11.

 

Prior to the march towards the Secretariat, the colleges will hold a massive protest with approximately 30,000 staff, including both teaching and non-teaching members, against the State government, demanding the release of their promised fee dues.

 

This protest is scheduled to take place at LB Stadium here on November 8. The Federation of Associations of Telangana Higher Institutions (FATHI), which comprises the private professional colleges, reiterated that they will continue to keep their institutions shut until the government clears ₹5,000 crore out of the total ₹10,000 crore in fee reimbursement arrears.

 

The State government initially assured that ₹1,200 crore would be released to the colleges before the Diwali festival. However, only ₹300 crore has been released so far, a move that has further angered the colleges.

 

Furthermore, there has been no word from the government regarding the colleges’ suggestion to set up a trust bank for the remaining fee dues and to prepare a roadmap for clearing the arrears. With the government recently ordering a vigilance inquiry, the private professional colleges have escalated their demand and now insist that ₹5,000 crore, which represents 50 per cent of the total arrears, be released immediately.

 

Meanwhile, activists of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) on Wednesday attempted to storm the residence of Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar at Mankammathota, protesting against the state government’s delay in releasing fee reimbursement funds.

 

A group of protesters marched towards the Minister’s house, shouting slogans against the State government and Ponnam Prabhakar. However, police had already set up barricades and managed to foil the attempt, preventing the agitators from entering the premises. The activists were later taken into custody and shifted to the police station.

 

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