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Hyderabad, Nov 6 (IANS) The indefinite strike by private professional colleges in Telangana continued for the fourth day on Thursday demanding release of fee reimbursement dues.
Nearly 2,000 professional colleges, including engineering, pharmacy, MBA, MCA, B.Ed and nursing institutes, across the state remained closed demanding that the state government release 50 per cent of the Rs 10,000 crore fee reimbursement dues.
Federation of Association of Telangana Higher Institutions (FATHI) announced boycott of pharmacy examinations under Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU). It was demanded that the university postpone the examinations.
FATHI has made it clear that the strike will continue until Rs 5,000 crore of the compensation dues of Rs 10,000 crore is released. It demands that the remaining Rs 5,000 crore be released in monthly installments of Rs 500 crore over 10 months.
FATHI President Ramesh Babu said that they never went against the government, but non-release of pending dues has made it impossible for the management to run the colleges.
The government has invited Fathi to talks, but he has refused to call off the strike until his demands are met.
After the government formed a committee to raise finances for the fee reimbursement scheme, private colleges have made it clear that the strike will continue.
The government announced on Tuesday that the committee, comprising FATHI officials and representatives, would study a permanent free reimbursement scheme through the Trust Bank.
Welcoming the committee, FATHI said it should be asked to submit a report in one month, not three months as had been announced.
The federation has announced that a meeting of teachers of colleges will be held on November 8 at the LB Stadium in Hyderabad. About 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.
The Fathi leader said that during talks in September, the government had promised to release Rs 1,200 crore in arrears before Diwali, but only Rs 300 crore has been disbursed so far.
–IANS
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