Tamil Nadu government filed a petition with Supreme Court against Centre for withholding education funds over not implementing National Education Policy (NEP). Tamil in its plea asked the top court to direct the central government to release funds related to education in the state, entitled under the PM Shri Samagraha Siksha.

Tamil Nadu accused the Centre of withholding more than Rs 2,200 crore in education funds and trying to impose the NEP and Hindi language by using financial pressure. In its petition, Tamil Nadu said the Centre was, thus, violating both constitutional principles and statutory duties under the Right to Education Act.

Tamil Nadu government filed a case directly in Supreme Court under Article 131 of the Indian Constitution against the Central government for withholding education funds meant for the state.

Under Article 131, a state government is allowed to legally challenge the Central government in disputes involving legal or constitutional rights.

The southern state is demanding the release of Rs 2,291 crore, which includes, Rs 2,151.59 crore as the Centre’s 60% share under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme (SSS) for FY 2024–25 along with the interest on the unpaid amount.

The matter is now with the Supreme Court, where Tamil Nadu seeks both financial relief and constitutional clarification on the limits of central control over state education policy.

Source: India Today