Stalin Urges Modi to Release Samagra Shiksha Funds

Chennai: Expressing deep concern over the recent remarks of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan that ‘Samagra Shiksha’ funds would not be released to Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister M K Stalin urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in the matter in the interest of cooperative federalism and the welfare of lakhs of students and teachers. In a letter to Modi on Thursday, Stalin said Pradhan’s insistence on the State implementing the ‘National Education Policy - 2020’ in toto and adopting the three-language policy had created immense anxiety and unrest among students, political parties and the general public. Pointing out that the non-release of funds under the ongoing scheme, several vital components towards teacher salaries, student welfare programmes, inclusive education initiatives, RTE reimbursements for underprivileged students and transport for students in remote areas had been jeopardized, he urged Modi to intervene in the interest of cooperative federalism and welfare of lakhs of students and teachers. ‘To dissipate the unrest caused due to this issue, Rs 2,152 crore of Samagra Shiksha funds for Tamil Nadu for 2024-25 may be released immediately, without linking it to the implementation of NEP 2020.