Opinion: Telangana’s fee reimbursement crisis threatens social progress

Telangana's Fee Reimbursement scheme, a landmark welfare initiative, has enabled marginalised students to access higher education for 18 years. The scheme has dismantled the barrier of tuition fees for underprivileged students, transforming their dreams into reality. However, it now faces two existential threats: a massive accumulation of fiscal arrears and a shift in the disbursement mechanism, which threatens to undo decades of progress. The scheme supports approximately 1.4 million students, making professional courses accessible to the poor and playing a pivotal role in human resource development.