16_Che_JM_TN Govt Urges Centre to Release SSS, RTE Funds | Chennai News – Times of India
Chennai: The Tamil Nadu govt on Friday urged Union govt to release pending dues of Rs 2,151.59 crore under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme, including Rs 617 crore for RTE admissions. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami criticised state govt for delaying RTE reimbursement funds for the past two years, leading to delayed RTE admissions this academic year.Tamil Nadu govt officials made the request at a meeting in Delhi. An official source said, “The state govt submitted its proposal for 2025-26 during the project approval board meeting, resulting in an approved outlay of Rs 2,733.58 crore. Accordingly, it is imperative that the Central share of Rs 2,151.59 crore for last fiscal year be released without further delay, alongside the immediate release of the first instalment for the current fiscal.” The state govt also emphasised that well-performing states like Tamil Nadu should not be denied their due share of funds in future schemes.Against the backdrop of Madras high court seeking state govt’s response within a week to a petition challenging the delay in commencing RTE admissions this academic year, school education minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi said there was no response from the Centre to the chief secretary’s letter seeking early release of pending dues. “They have to release RTE funds. Other things can be debated but this is a basic right to education.It (not releasing funds) is like acting against human rights,” the minister told reporters here.In a statement, Palaniswami questioned claims from certain sections that govt lacked funds as it refused to accept Centre’s national education policy. “What has that got to do with RTE? This fund must be released by state govt,” he said, urging state govt to implement the RTE effectively in the state. MSID:: 121217045 413 |
