Telangana CM Warns Colleges Against Protests Over Fee Reimbursement, Calls It ‘Blackmail’
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy came down hard on the Federation of Associations of Telangana Higher Institutions (FATHI) for shutting down colleges over fee-reimbursement dues.
“The State government will not keep quiet if college managements blackmail us under the pretext of fee reimbursement,” he asserted, warning them against playing with students’ futures. Revanth Reddy stressed that the government will release funds as per schedule.
He added, “We are not so naïve as to be unaware which political party is behind the agitation. Strict action will be taken if this continues.” He also emphasized that education is not a business: “The government will not accept anyone trying to turn education into commerce.”
Private colleges across Telangana remained closed for the fifth consecutive day on Friday (November 7) after talks between FATHI and the State government failed to break the deadlock.
The indefinite strike, launched on November 3, demands that the State government release 50% of the pending Reimbursement of Tuition Fee (RTF). FATHI has accused the government of reneging on a promise to clear dues worth ₹1,200 crore by Diwali, saying only ₹300 crore was released.
FATHI chairman Nimmaturi Ramesh Babu reiterated that the strike would continue until the government meets their demands, alleging that college managements had been pushed to a breaking point.
On Friday, Hyderabad City Police reportedly denied FATHI permission to hold a public meeting at LB Stadium on November 8. Federation leaders then approached the Telangana High Court on Thursday, challenging the refusal and saying a final decision on the venue would depend on the court’s verdict expected on Friday.
If permission for the proposed venues is not granted, organisers are considering shifting the meeting to Aurora Engineering College campus in Bandlaguda. Meanwhile, a major student rally earlier scheduled for November 11 in Hyderabad has been postponed to November 15.
