Overview

• FATHI says colleges will shut from September 15 unless the state releases ₹1,200 crore tied to already issued tokens, with overall arrears reported between about ₹8,000 crore and ₹10,000 crore.
• The Chief Minister reviewed the issue on Saturday and advisers met college representatives, with the finance minister slated to continue talks on Sunday.
• Officials indicated a first tranche of ₹1,200 crore is expected, with a phased, time‑bound plan to clear the balance, but managements insist on immediate disbursal rather than assurances.
• Engineering colleges plan to observe September 15 as a Black Day, and degree and postgraduate colleges have called a bandh for September 16 as federations map further actions.
• Colleges report months of unpaid staff salaries and some have withheld student certificates, while managements criticize proposed facial‑recognition attendance measures as a distraction from funding.