CM Stalin Appeals to PM Modi for Immediate Release of ₹2,152 Crore Samagra Shiksha Funds for Tamil Nadu
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Synopsis
Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin has urgently requested PM Modi to release ₹2,152 crore for Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, criticizing the government's linkage of funds to the National Education Policy and emphasizing the need for cooperative federalism to protect state educational rights.
Key Takeaways
- CM Stalin requests ₹2,152 crore for SSA.
- Criticism of linking SSA to NEP 2020.
- Concerns about cooperative federalism principles.
- Conditional fund disbursement undermines state rights.
- Recent ministerial comments caused public unrest.
Chennai, Feb 20 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M.K. Stalin, has called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to promptly release ₹2,152 crore allocated for the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) for the state.
In a letter to PM Modi dated Thursday, CM Stalin expressed strong disapproval of the Centre's decision to associate the SSA with the PM SHRI scheme, asserting that these are two separate centrally-sponsored initiatives.
He pointed out that such an action undermines the principles of cooperative federalism and has negative repercussions for countless students and educators in Tamil Nadu.
The Chief Minister urged PM Modi to guarantee the release of SSA funds without tying them to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
He criticized the Centre for allegedly using financial distribution as a coercive measure to force states to comply with centrally-mandated policies, which he termed a clear breach of cooperative federalism.
CM Stalin further contended that conditional funding undermines states' rights to develop their educational policies tailored to their unique requirements.
“I look forward to your personal intervention in this matter, given the sensitivity of the issue,” he stated in his correspondence.
The Chief Minister also expressed serious concern regarding recent comments made by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who hinted that Tamil Nadu's SSA funds would be withheld unless the state fully adopted the NEP and embraced the three-language policy.
CM Stalin noted that this declaration has led to considerable distress and unrest among students, political factions, and the general populace in Tamil Nadu.
He also highlighted that even central institutions like Navodaya Vidyalayas have not been established in Tamil Nadu due to the state's opposition to the three-language policy.
He reaffirmed that Tamil Nadu has consistently upheld its commitment to a two-language policy, which is deeply embedded in its educational and social structure.
Additionally, he pointed out that Tamil Nadu is exempt from enforcing the Official Languages Act, 1963, according to the Official Languages Rules, 1976.
CM Stalin reminded PM Modi that Tamil Nadu had previously expressed its significant concerns regarding specific provisions of the NEP through letters and a memorandum in 2024. However, despite numerous representations, SSA funds for the 2024-25 fiscal year remain unallocated.
