Political leaders and Backward Classes organisations in Telangana urged the state government on Saturday to keep the fee-reimbursement scheme unchanged.
The dispute centers on Government Order (G.O.) 7, which critics fear will dilute or withdraw essential financial benefits for students. If implemented, the shift could alter how thousands of students access higher education funding in the state.
Opponents of the measure warned against any attempt to modify the existing framework. These leaders and organisations called for the withdrawal of G.O. 7 to ensure that student benefits remain intact and accessible.
The state government said the order is intended to streamline the payment process. According to officials, the new system will function by crediting fees directly to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.
However, this transition has caused concern among the student population. There are fears that the shift to direct transfers may lead to disruptions in how fees are processed and paid to institutions.
The government plans to roll out the G.O. 7 fee-reimbursement scheme starting in the 2026-27 academic year [1].
This timeline gives the administration time to set up the necessary banking infrastructure, but the political opposition remains firm in its demand for a total reversal of the order to protect student interests.
“Leaders and organisations called for the withdrawal of G.O. 7 to ensure that student benefits remain intact.”
The conflict reflects a tension between administrative modernization and social welfare security. While the government aims to reduce leakage and bureaucracy through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), the opposition views any change to established Government Orders as a potential gateway to reducing the total amount of aid provided to marginalized students.
