Telangana HC permits engineering colleges to collect fees amid Govt reimbursement delays
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Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court has issued an interim order allowing private engineering colleges to directly collect tuition fees from students eligible under the fee reimbursement scheme, if the government fails to release payments from the academic year 2026-27.
Justice Juvvadi Sridevi emphasized the temporary nature of the order, directing colleges to refund fees to students if their petitions are dismissed in the final hearing.
The ruling followed arguments in 14 petitions from various private colleges. Introduced in 2008 under undivided Andhra Pradesh, the scheme reimburses fees for eligible students. Colleges argued severe financial strain from unpaid dues, hampering operations like staff salaries.
The state cited ongoing budget sessions as the reason for lacking clear fund release instructions. The court noted the government's failure to file counter-affidavits despite multiple opportunities and absence of a payment timeline, impacting college functionality.
The matter is listed for further hearing on April 30.