Centre withholding Rs 2,142 crore funds under Samagra Shiksha; will approach SC, says CM Stalin

CHENNAI: “Tamil Nadu will approach the Supreme Court against the Union government for withholding of Rs 2,142 crore education funds for the State under the Samagra Shiksha (SS) scheme. Also, like the recent verdict by the SC on Governor’s powers, TN will see a victory in this too,” said Chief Minister MK Stalin releasing the book titled, ‘National Education Policy – 2020 Madhayaanai (The Rogue Elephant)’, here on Saturday.

Penned by the Minister of School Education Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, the Chief Minister released the book alongside Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin. Former Madhya Pradesh CM Digvijaya Singh, who is also the parliamentary head of the Standing Committee on education, participated in the event. Retired judge V Gopala Gowda and former director of ISRO Mylswamy Annadurai also marked their presence and to show their opposition to the Centre’s NEP.

Speaking at the event, CM said, “The title of the book is self-explanatory and Poyyamozhi has attempted a daring task in penning it. NEP is trying to destroy the growth of TN, which it has achieved in the education sector. The book is essential for today’s India, as NEP is a bid by the Centre to saffronise the country, starting with education.”

The CM further highlighted that the Dravida model was focused on education and development for all, while the right-wing Centre continued to insist on education and development only for a select few. “Education is the only weapon. And, the government will take all efforts to bring the same in State’s list, while also emphasising TN gets its rightful amount of Rs 2,142 crore under SS scheme. And, we will proceed with the legalities of it,” he added.

Subsequently, Minister Poyyamozhi noted that the inspiration for the book came from the 2016-comment made by former CM Karunanidhi, who insisted not to implement Centre’s saffronisation policy on TN. “TN raising voice is not only for TN, but for other states like Kerala, Telangana and Maharashtra,” he said. “SSA must not be referred to as Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, but Saffron Scripted Abhiyan.”

Meanwhile, speakers Gowda, Annadurai and Singh also highlighted the drawbacks of NEP, claiming that the policy coined by the Centre was “against the provision in the Constitution”.