Hyderabad: Members of the Progressive Democratic Students Union (PDSU) staged a protest at the Ministers’ Quarters in Hyderabad on Saturday, demanding the immediate release of long-pending fee reimbursement dues for students across Telangana. The demonstration intensified when student leaders allegedly attempted to block the convoy of Telangana Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao. Police personnel quickly intervened, detaining several protesters and shifting them in police vehicles. Videos circulating on social media showed students raising slogans such as “We Want Justice” and conducting a sit-in protest before being removed from the site by law enforcement officials.
The issue of fee reimbursement has remained a major concern in Telangana for several years, affecting both students and educational institutions. In September 2025, private professional colleges across the state warned of an indefinite shutdown due to reimbursement arrears reportedly exceeding ₹8,000 crore. The Federation of Associations of Telangana Higher Education Institutions (FATHI) had submitted a closure notice to higher education authorities, highlighting the severe financial strain faced by colleges. Educational institutions have also demanded the release of nearly ₹1,200 crore in reimbursement tokens that were already generated but allegedly remain unpaid despite budget allocations.
Political leaders have also raised concerns over the growing crisis. On May 3, BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) accused the Telangana government of failing to clear fee reimbursement dues amounting to nearly ₹10,000 crore over the last two-and-a-half years. According to KTR, the delay has affected more than 2,500 educational institutions and created significant hardships for students seeking certificates and continuing their studies. College managements have stated that prolonged delays have left faculty and staff salaries unpaid for months, forcing many employees to struggle financially while institutions face increasing operational challenges.
