SFI extends support as colleges shut

The Students Federation of India (SFI) Telangana chapter has expressed support for private professional and degree colleges across the state that are scheduled to shut down from September 15 and 16, respectively, due to pending fee reimbursement dues.

The Telangana Private Degree and PG Colleges Management Association announced the indefinite closure, citing approximately ₹1,800 crore in unpaid dues from the state government spanning the last three academic years. Although tokens for ₹750 crore have been issued, the funds have not been released, creating severe financial strain on these institutions.

SFI Telangana President S. Rajinikanth and Secretary T. Nagaraju criticized the Congress government for failing to fulfill its commitment to clear the dues and implement a transparent payment system. They also accused the government of attempting to dismantle the fee reimbursement scheme. The SFI highlighted that students are being denied certificates and are forced to seek legal intervention, as colleges withhold academic documents due to non-payment.

In response, the SFI pledged to back the colleges’ decision to suspend operations and urged the government to take immediate steps to resolve the issue. The ongoing stalemate raises serious concerns regarding the academic progress of students and the operational viability of private educational institutions in Telangana.

The SFI emphasized that the delay in fee reimbursement is not only affecting institutional finances but also disrupting students’ education, particularly in professional and degree programs. The lack of timely government support has strained relations between educational institutions and the state administration, highlighting systemic inefficiencies in the management of the reimbursement scheme.

This development underlines the broader challenges facing the education sector in Telangana, where delays in government funding directly impact the functioning of private colleges and the welfare of students. The SFI has called for immediate corrective measures to ensure that both institutions and students do not suffer further setbacks due to administrative delays.

The association’s move to close the colleges, supported by SFI, underscores the urgency of resolving pending fee reimbursement dues to maintain continuity in education and protect the rights of students across Telangana.