New Delhi [India], May 21: The Tamil Nadu government has filed a petition in the Supreme Court, challenging the alleged withholding of ₹2,291.30 crore in central funds by the Union Government. The plea accuses the Centre of unlawfully tying fund disbursal to the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which the state has firmly opposed.
Filed by Advocate Sabarish Subramanian, the plea seeks a declaration that NEP 2020 and the PM SHRI Schools Scheme are not binding on the State without a formal agreement with the Centre. Tamil Nadu contends that making fund disbursal contingent upon NEP compliance is unconstitutional, arbitrary, and illegal.
Core Issues in the Plea
- Violation of Federal Structure: The Tamil Nadu government argues that linking central education funds—especially under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme—to NEP compliance undermines the State’s constitutional autonomy in education, which is a concurrent subject.
- Clause 4.13 of NEP Opposed: The State reiterated its opposition to the three-language policy proposed under Clause 4.13 of NEP 2020. Tamil Nadu follows a two-language policy (Tamil and English) and has consistently resisted the imposition of Hindi.
- Unlawful Linkage: “The glaring reason for such non-disbursement is that the Defendant has linked the release of Samagra Shiksha Scheme funds with the implementation of NEP and PM SHRI Schools Scheme… which is not agreeable to the Plaintiff State,” the plea reads.
Financial Demands
The Tamil Nadu government is seeking:
- Immediate release of ₹2,291.30 crore in withheld funds
- 6% interest per annum on ₹2,151.59 crore from May 1, 2025, until full payment
- A directive to the Centre to release its 60% share under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, before the start of each academic year
Parliamentary Committee’s Support
The plea cites a report by the Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports, which had noted similar non-disbursal issues affecting Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal. The committee recommended immediate release of SSA (Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan) funds to prevent disruptions in:
- Teacher salaries
- Training programmes
- Infrastructure maintenance
Background
Tamil Nadu has been a vocal critic of the NEP since its rollout in 2020, particularly over fears of Hindi imposition and centralized curriculum mandates. The state has consistently argued for localised, equitable, and inclusive education policies suited to its unique socio-linguistic landscape.