HYDERABAD: Around 670 engineering and pharmacy colleges will shut down as part of a strike called by Consortium of Engineering and Professional College Management's Association demanding that state government to release pending funds under fee reimbursement scheme, starting January 19. The decision was taken at the consortium's general body meeting which was held here on Sunday.

The college managements said that the government has to release Rs 210 crore as part of the pending arrears for the academic year 2011-12. Also, a total of Rs 2,000 crore has not yet been released as part of this year's reimbursement funds, officials said. "We have not paid the salaries of teachers since the past three months as funds were not released by the government. We want the government to release the funds before January 19," said Ramesh Nimmatoori, chairperson of the consortium.

The consortium has around 1,100 professional colleges including engineering (both B Tech and M Tech), MBA, MCA and pharmacy under its wing. Majority of the colleges have also demanded a hike in fee structure for the coming year. "Over 570 colleges which are currently charging Rs 35,000 per annum as fee have asked for a hike upto Rs 50,200. The government should consider this demand," Nimmatoori said. Admission and Fee Regulatory Committee had issued notification on December 30th last year, asking colleges to submit their fee structure demands.

The colleges also demanded All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) to spare those colleges which have not taken admissions this year from recruiting faculty members. "There were several colleges which did not get even a single student this year. Such colleges should not be forced to recruit fresh faculty members," said Nimmatoori.




Source : TOI & Sakshi