Colleges offering engineering, degree, postgraduate and other professional courses in Telangana are once again preparing for a renewed agitation in January, demanding the immediate release of long-pending fee reimbursement dues. College managements have expressed strong dissatisfaction with the government for failing to fully clear the promised arrears, despite repeated assurances.

According to college representatives, the government had assured that Rs 600 crore would be released by Diwali. However, only about Rs 161 crore has been disbursed so far, leaving nearly Rs 440 crore still pending. As a result, around 2,500 colleges are considering joining another round of protests.

Leaders of college management associations are expected to convene a meeting shortly to take a final call on the course of action. They stated that they had waited so far due to the Gram Panchayat elections, but will now decide on an agitation plan.

The total fee reimbursement dues payable to colleges are estimated to be between Rs 8,000 crore and Rs 10,000 crore. For the 2023 academic year alone, arrears of around Rs 2,500 crore are pending. Of this, the government had earlier issued tokens worth Rs 1,200 crore to college managements. When these amounts were not released, colleges observed a shutdown from September 15, demanding immediate payment. After initial talks with the government failed, colleges remained closed for two days.

Subsequently, the government assured phased payments, following which the shutdown was withdrawn. It had promised to release Rs 600 crore in September and another Rs 600 crore by Diwali. While Rs 376 crore was released initially, the remaining amount was delayed, leading colleges to once again observe a shutdown from November 3. After fresh discussions, the government reiterated its assurance to release funds.