Thu Nov 21 00:05:00 UTC 2024: ## Telangana Private Colleges Continue Indefinite Strike Over Unpaid Fee Reimbursement

**Hyderabad, November 21, 2024** – Over 1,500 private degree and postgraduate colleges in Telangana remain closed for a second day as an indefinite strike continues over pending fee reimbursement dues from the state government. The Telangana Private Degree and PG Colleges Managements Association (TPDMA) initiated the strike, demanding immediate payment of outstanding amounts.

Former Rajya Sabha member and National BC Welfare Association chief, R. Krishnaiah, amplified the urgency of the situation on Wednesday, urging Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to intervene. Krishnaiah highlighted the detrimental impact on students, who are unable to receive certificates, hindering their ability to pursue further education or employment. He pointed out the irony of the government clearing contractors’ bills while neglecting students’ reimbursement. The non-payment is also impacting college operations, with building owners threatening to evict colleges due to unpaid rent and maintenance costs.

While Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka reportedly heard the association’s concerns and promised a resolution, a meeting between the Chief Minister and TPDMA leaders is scheduled for Saturday. This follows an earlier bandh in October, where assurances from the government remained unfulfilled, according to Krishnaiah. The impending semester examinations further exacerbate the crisis, leaving students in a precarious academic situation.

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