Manickam Tagore Seeks Immediate Release of ₹5,109 Crore in Withheld Samagra Shiksha Funds for Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president and Member of Parliament K. Manickam Tagore has demanded that the Union government release ₹5,109 crore in pending education funds under the Samagra Shiksha scheme to Tamil Nadu without attaching any conditions.
What Happened
In a formal statement, K. Manickam Tagore stated that the BJP-led Union government has withheld school education grants amounting to ₹5,109 crore from Tamil Nadu over a three-year period. Drawing figures from the Tamil Nadu School Education Department’s policy note, he highlighted that the withheld sums comprise ₹1,788 crore for 2024-25, ₹1,496 crore for 2025-26, and ₹1,825 crore for the current financial year.
Mr. Tagore pointed out that while the Centre released ₹714 crore under the Right to Education (RTE) scheme following a Supreme Court order, other essential school education funds continue to be held back. To keep state schools functioning in the absence of central support, the Tamil Nadu government has spent ₹2,014 crore from its own budget over the prior two years, alongside an allocation of ₹647 crore in the current financial year.
Key Highlights
- Total Funds Withheld: ₹5,109 crore under the Samagra Shiksha scheme over three years, according to the state department’s policy note.
- Yearly Breakdown: ₹1,788 crore in 2024-25, ₹1,496 crore in 2025-26, and ₹1,825 crore during the current financial year.
- State Expenditure: Tamil Nadu allocated ₹2,014 crore over the past two years and ₹647 crore this year to maintain operations.
- RTE Allocation: The Union government released ₹714 crore for the Right to Education scheme following a Supreme Court directive.
- Policy Contentions: Mr. Tagore alleged the fund retention is intended to pressure the state regarding the National Education Policy (NEP), the PM-SHRI scheme, and the three-language formula.
Why This Matters
According to the statements made by Mr. Tagore, withholding these central allocations directly hampers state-level initiatives intended to enhance learning outcomes for government school students, conduct teacher training, and improve basic school infrastructure. Describing the fiscal freeze as an assault on federalism, he contended that the Union government is leveraging financial allocations to challenge the state’s stance against the National Education Policy, the three-language formula, and the PM-SHRI initiative.
What to Watch Next
Following his statement, Mr. Tagore confirmed that he has formally written to Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi, seeking the immediate and unconditional release of the ₹5,109 crore owed to Tamil Nadu. Any formal reply or action from the Union Ministry of Education regarding these pending disbursements remains the next key development.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much funding is reportedly withheld from Tamil Nadu?
According to figures cited by K. Manickam Tagore from the state’s School Education Department policy note, the Union government has withheld ₹5,109 crore over the course of three financial years.
What programs are reportedly impacted by the withheld funds?
Mr. Tagore stated that the lack of funds impacts programmes aimed at upgrading government school infrastructure, conducting teacher training sessions, and bettering learning outcomes for students.
Why does the Congress MP claim the funds are being blocked?
Mr. Tagore claimed the Centre is withholding assistance to pressurise Tamil Nadu over its refusal to adopt the National Education Policy (NEP), the PM-SHRI scheme, and the three-language policy.
Source: Based on reporting from The Hindu.