The Telangana High Court has granted major relief to the managements of private educational institutions in the state. The High Court issued sensational interim stay orders on key guidelines within the government’s recently introduced GO Ms. No. 9. The court severely criticized the provision in the GO that prohibited college managements from collecting fees from students until the government releases fee reimbursement funds. The bench clarified that these stay orders will be effective until June 30 (next Tuesday).
During the hearing, the High Court questioned the government extensively. The court demanded to know, “Without the government releasing dues amounting to crores of rupees, how are colleges supposed to manage their daily operations? How is it reasonable to impose restrictions preventing them from collecting fees from students?” While budget sessions have concluded, the court directed the government to submit comprehensive details regarding the amount allocated for the fee reimbursement scheme in the budget and the reasons for the delay in the release of those funds.
Managements brought to the court’s attention that the survival of private colleges has become questionable due to the stagnation of dues amounting to crores of rupees from the government. They noted that it has become a burden for managements to pay monthly salaries to teaching and non-teaching staff, and to bear daily maintenance costs such as building rents and electricity bills. In this context, representatives of private educational institutions are expressing happiness over the court’s intervention and the granting of the stay.
Meanwhile, implead petitions have also been filed in court on behalf of students in this dispute. The lawyer representing the students expressed concern that they are being crushed in the fee battle between the government and college managements. He appealed to the bench, stating that due to the withholding of funds, students in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years of engineering, degree, and other courses are suffering severely as they are unable to receive certificates or sit for exams, and requested that these new rules be made applicable only to new students joining this year.
Responding after intense arguments, the government counsel gave a key assurance to the court. They clarified that all pending fee reimbursement dues to be paid to private colleges will be cleared completely by August 15. Reacting positively to the government’s announcement, college managements informed the court that if all dues are paid by August 15, they are prepared to withdraw the petitions they have filed.
The High Court has adjourned the next hearing of this case to Tuesday, June 30. In the meantime, it has strictly ordered the government to place full details and reports regarding budget allocations for fee reimbursement and the roadmap for payment of dues before the court. With the clarification that no coercive restrictions are valid against college managements until then, there is tension among students and educational institutions regarding the final guidelines expected on Tuesday.