Hyderabad: The Federation of Higher Education Institutions (FATHI) has demanded the Telangana government immediately pay Rs 1,000 crore owed to private colleges. During an urgent meeting in Hyderabad on Wednesday, FATHI’s Executive Council expressed serious concerns about delayed scholarship payments. They warned of a statewide academic closure starting October 13 if their demands aren’t met.
Leaders Nimmatoori Ramesh Babu, KS Ravi Kumar, Dr. K. Ramadas, Kodali Krishna Rao, Suneel Kumar, Jaipal Reddy, Nagaiah Chowdary, Aljapur Srinivas, and Suryanarayana Reddy revealed that only Rs 200 crore of the Rs 600 crore due by Dasara was released. An additional Rs 600 crore is expected by Deepavali, totaling Rs 1,000 crore. They demand full payment by October 12, or 2,500 affiliated colleges will halt classes.
The council announced a protest from October 13 to 18 across districts, involving students and parents. “This isn’t just about money—it’s about the survival of educational institutions and students’ futures,” said Ramesh Babu.
FATHI emphasized that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, also in charge of education, should oversee future discussions. They invited him to a statewide meeting during the protest to engage with stakeholders directly.
Another issue is the cancellation of scholarship reimbursement tokens for 2021–22 and 2022–23. The government claims to have released 50% of 2023–24 dues, but FATHI demands immediate reissue of canceled tokens to support institutions financially.
FATHI predicts that by March 2026, the state could owe nearly Rs 10,000 crore to educational institutions. They urge the finance ministry to create a plan for timely scholarship and fee payments.
“We aren’t against the government. We fight for education’s sustainability and student welfare. If dues remain unpaid, we’ll escalate our protest,” they stated.
The meeting ended with a decision to increase pressure on the government peacefully while remaining open to dialogue. FATHI leaders reaffirmed their dedication to protecting students, faculty, and institutions, urging the government to act quickly to prevent academic disruption.
