Degree and postgraduate colleges across Telangana are set to remain closed today after the Telangana Private PG and Degree Colleges Management Association (TPDMA) called for a statewide shutdown. The association is demanding the immediate release of long-pending fee reimbursement dues from the state government. College managements say the delay has made it increasingly difficult to meet daily operational expenses, pay electricity bills and provide salaries to teaching and non-teaching staff.
The association has also announced further protest programmes to intensify pressure on the government. As part of the next phase of agitation, TPDMA representatives said human chains will be organised in all towns across Telangana on the day following the college bandh. They made it clear that the protests will continue until they receive a clear assurance from senior government officials regarding the release of the pending funds.
College managements stressed that although the fee reimbursement scheme benefits students from economically weaker sections, delays in releasing funds are severely affecting the financial stability of private colleges. TPDMA warned that if the government fails to announce a clear action plan and release the pending dues immediately, the association will intensify its agitation and may even consider an indefinite strike.
