Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Hyderabad, Nov 5 (IANS) Managements of private professional colleges in Telangana on Wednesday made it clear that their indefinite strike will continue until the government fulfills their demands.
Federation of Association of Telangana Higher Institutions (FATHI) president Ramesh Babu said the colleges were continuing their strike for three days.
They revealed in a press conference that the government has invited them for talks, but have refused to call off the strike until their demands are met.
FATHI made its stand clear a day after the government set up a committee to raise finance for the fee-reimbursement scheme.
The government announced that a committee comprising FATHI officials and representatives would study a permanent free reimbursement scheme through the Trust Bank.
Ramesh Babu welcomed the committee and said that it should be asked to submit the report in one month and not in three months as per the announcement.
He said they were demanding that the government release 50 percent of the outstanding fee reimbursement.
Alleging that the vigilance raids on colleges reflected a dictatorial attitude, he said a meeting of teachers of colleges would be held on November 8 at the LB Stadium in Hyderabad. Around 70,000 teachers will attend the meeting.
Ramesh Babu warned that if his demands were not met, he would hold a big protest with 10 lakh students.
Fathi accused Education Commissioner Devasena of harassing college managements and demanded his immediate transfer.
The total outstanding under the duty reimbursement scheme is Rs 10,000 crore. Its leaders said that during talks in September, the government had promised to release Rs 1,200 crore in dues before Diwali, but only Rs 300 crore has been disbursed so far.
On FATHI’s call, around 2,000 professional colleges, including engineering, pharmacy, MBA, MCA, B.Ed and nursing institutes, began an indefinite strike on Monday.
–IANS
MS/UK