Private Colleges To Shut Down From September 15

The Federation of Associations of Telangana Higher Institutions (FATHI) has decided to start an indefinite closure (Bandh) of all private educational institutions in the State from Monday, following failed talks with the State's Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka.

It has also decided to observe Engineer's Day, which falls on September 15, as a Black Day.

"Despite repeated representations and the earlier announcement on September 12 by the FATHI Executive Committee regarding the observation of Engineer's Day as a Black Day and the commencement of an indefinite strike from September 15, the State government merely called for a meeting with the managements of private professional colleges and has neither provided clarity on the release of the fee reimbursement dues nor placed any concrete proposal on the table. Faculty and staff across institutions have been suffering without salaries for several months. Their families are unable to meet their basic needs, and with the Dussehra season approaching, the distress has reached unbearable levels. Students are also facing academic disruptions as institutions are unable to function under these circumstances," the federation said in a statement.

FATHI Organising Secretary Dr K Sunil Kumar and Secretary-General K S Ravi Kumar said that in view of this grave situation, the Executive Committee had presented its recommendations before the General Body today and resolved that September 15, Engineer's Day, would be observed as a Black Day across Telangana. They also said that all private professional colleges would enter an indefinite strike and stay closed until their demands were met by the government.