Telangana TSCHE sees student fury over Rs 9,000 crore fee reimbursement crises, Committee formed
HYDERABAD: Mounting frustration over the state’s fee reimbursement scheme erupted into a massive student protest at the Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE) on Tuesday, bringing traffic to a standstill and drawing a heavy police response. In the wake of the demonstration, the Telangana government swiftly announced the formation of a high-powered committee to overhaul the scheme and ensure funding.
The protest, organized by the BC Students’ Association and its State President, Vemula Ramakrishna, involved confrontations with the police. Organizers stated that the government’s unfulfilled promises have worsened the higher education crisis.
The protest centers on Rs 9,000 crore in unpaid fee arrears to colleges, which has led some institutions to request payment from students. Vemula Ramakrishna cautioned that continued delays could force more students to discontinue their studies.
“The state government has raised its hands while neglecting the release of fee arrears,” Ramakrishna said, adding that “We demand an end to the conspiracy to lift the fee reimbursement scheme with restrictions and cuts.”
The students’ association requested the immediate release of the pending Rs 9,000 crore and assurance that the fee reimbursement scheme will continue without restrictions. They also urged the government to explore alternative funding solutions if budget constraints persist, in order to avoid negatively affecting students’ education.
The association also raised concerns regarding state budgeting priorities. Ramakrishna asked, “Ministers say that the entire budget is sufficient for salaries and welfare. Where is the budget for the beautification of the campus?” The Ramakrishna also raised concerns about the Ministry of Education’s oversight and commitment to the issue. Ramakrishna indicated that further action could follow if the demands were not addressed, referencing plans for a larger student mobilization.
Key leaders, including National Convener Gujja Krishna and State General Secretary Nanda Gopal, joined the demonstration. As traffic stalled and police managed growing crowds, students signaled that the crisis could no longer be ignored.
Telangana government formed a high-powered committee
Meanwhile, the Telangana government formed a high-powered committee to reform the scheme and secure necessary funding. This decision was formalized through Government Order(GO) 19, issued by the Scheduled Caste Development (Education) Department. The committee, comprising senior bureaucrats and leading academicians, is tasked with developing a self-sustaining model for the welfare scheme.
Constitution of Committee for Mobilisation of finances for Fee- Reimbursement Scheme pic.twitter.com/x2LVioBBiQ
— Jacob Ross (@JacobBhoompag) November 4, 2025
The committee was formed in response to financial strain on the Fee Reimbursement Scheme. Private college associations warn that pending arrears of about Rs 9,000 crore are pushing institutions toward financial instability, which threatens the education of many students from SC, ST, BC, and Minority communities.
The order notes that the committee was formed based on suggestions rendered by the Federation of Associations of Telangana Higher Education Institutions (FATHI) during an interaction with the Deputy Chief Minister at Praja Bhavan.
The committee is chaired by the Special Chief Secretary to the Government, Welfare, with the Principal Secretary of Finance as Vice-Chairman. Members include secretaries from key welfare departments and the Chairman of the State Council of Higher Education.
The committee also includes public intellectuals Prof. Kancha Ilaiah and Prof. Kodandaram, as well as three nominated representatives from FATHI, to ensure representation from college management.
The committee’s main responsibilities are to evaluate the creation of a self-sustaining Fee Reimbursement scheme using a “Trust Bank” model, develop a transparent and sustainable framework for the policy, and provide recommendations to improve the higher education system. The committee has three months to submit its report to the government.
