Teachers of private degree colleges staging a protest in Hyderabad on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: SIDDHANT THAKUR
Teachers of private colleges and their management officials turned up in large numbers at Dharna Chowk in Indira Park on Saturday to demand release of dues to colleges.
The State government has not paid Reimbursement of Tuition Fees (RTF) funds to private colleges for the past three years. Although multiple requests were submitted, there have been promises but no action, said Telangana Private Degree & PG College Management Association (TPDPMA).
Leading a maha rally, association leaders expressed their helplessness in operating colleges, paying rents or salaries to staff.
According to TPDPMA president Bojja Suryanaryana Reddy, dues from government are from 2021-22 academic year. Although the government issued tokens for about ₹1,200 crore, the dues remain unpaid.
“If the government cannot pay RTF regularly, it will have a direct impact on quality of education for a student, the college, and the State as a whole. The government must take immediate measures to release all dues pending for degree, PG and junior colleges,” he said.
Another leader from the association explained that its delegations met several leaders in the government, including Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka twice. But there has been no concrete action.
The association in the past staged demonstrations and observed colleges bandh, but the official response has been limited to words. The three-years’ arrears amount to ₹3000 crore, the leaders said.
The protest rally on Saturday turned chaotic with the leaders of both TPDPMA and SUPMA staging demonstrations on the road and the police intervened.
Published – February 01, 2025 09:24 pm IST