The conduct of Intermediate and degree examinations and the related national entrance tests would be in jeopardy as the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Telangana KG to PG Educational Institutions has decided to not cooperate with the government unless the latter releases the pending fee reimbursement dues.
The Intermediate exams are scheduled to be held from February 28 while degree examinations would be held from March 9. The non-cooperation from the JAC would hit more than 12 lakh students appearing for these exams. If the exams are postponed, the new schedule may interrupt the entrance tests like EAMCET, NEET or JEE as well.
The JAC that met on Friday said running the institutions has become difficult owing to pending fee reimbursement dues of 2016-17 and 2017-18 academic years. JAC Chairman Ramana Reddy said all the 1,700 unaided private junior colleges, 900 degree colleges and 300-odd PG colleges have decided to go ahead with their decision if the government does not respond to their demands within a week.
The JAC representatives including Kandala Papi Reddy, president of Telangana Recognised Schools Management Association (TRSMA); Gouri Satish and V. Narender Reddy of Telangana Private Junior Colleges Management Association (TPJMA) and T. Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy of Telangana Government Recognised Degree and PG Colleges Management Association said about ₹250 crore for 2016-17 and ₹850 crore for 2017-18 are pending with the government and the colleges were facing difficulties in paying salary to the staff.
Mr. Ramana Reddy said the fee for Intermediate science courses was just ₹25,000 and ₹15,000 for arts courses, while it was ₹30,000 for degree in science, ₹25,000 for commerce and ₹20,000 for arts. But the fee being collected by corporate colleges and international schools was manyfold.
Fee structure
The JAC leaders said if the government has initiated a common exam and common admission process, it should also have a common fee structure.
They also want the government to make DOST college-friendly and give them the opportunity to fill up vacant seats making available fee reimbursement to such admissions.
