Apex court rejects plea filed by Tamil Nadu on education funds
The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a plea by the Tamil Nadu government seeking an urgent hearing in its suit against the Union government for allegedly withholding over ₹2,000 crore in funds under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme (SSS), citing what the state described as 'coercive tactics' by the Centre to force the state to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
'For how long has this fund not been given? What is the urgency now?' a bench of justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Manmohan asked senior advocate P Wilson, who mentioned the matter on behalf of the Tamil Nadu government, seeking an expedited listing.
As Wilson flagged the constitutional right to free and compulsory education of nearly 4.8 million students in the state being adversely impacted, the bench remained unconvinced and declined the request: 'The plea is rejected.'
The brief exchange took place during the Supreme Court's ongoing summer recess, now designated as a period of 'partial court working days' where only two to three benches sit and only matters of pressing urgency are usually considered, in addition to some old cases where both sides have given their consent to argue during the break. The regular functioning of the top court will resume on July 14.
Filed under Article 131 of the Constitution, Tamil Nadu's suit accuses the Centre of linking its annual share under the SSS to the implementation of the NEP 2020 and the PM SHRI Schools Scheme -- a condition the state calls 'unconstitutional, arbitrary and coercive.'
According to the suit, the Project Approval Board had approved a total outlay of ₹3,585.99 crore for Tamil Nadu under the SSS for the financial year 2024–25, of which ₹2,151.59 crore was to be the Centre's 60% share. The state claims this amount was not released solely because of its principled opposition to NEP 2020.
Tamil Nadu, ruled by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), has been a vocal critic of the NEP, particularly its three-language formula, which the state believes undermines its two-language policy rooted in Tamil linguistic pride and regional identity.
'The Union Government seeks to coerce the State to implement the NEP-2020 throughout the State in its entirety and to deviate from the education regime followed in the State,' the suit submitted, while asserting that the SSS is a standalone scheme that should not be tied to compliance with any other olicy.
The suit further alleged that the withholding of funds 'cripples the implementation of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009,' directly impacting 4.39 million students, 2.2 lakh teachers, and over 32,000 school staff in the state.
The state's legal team has argued that the Centre's move violates the spirit of cooperative federalism and amounts to an 'usurpation' of the state's constitutional powers to legislate on education, which falls under Entry 25 of the Concurrent List.
Tamil Nadu has also urged the Supreme Court to declare that the implementation of the NEP and the PM SHRI Schools Scheme, which mandates full compliance with NEP, is not binding on the state. It has sought a direction to the Centre to immediately release ₹2,291 crore (including interest), claiming the delay is 'not only illegal but also violative of constitutional morality.'
While the plea for an urgent hearing has now been declined, the main suit continues to be listed for regular hearing.
The standoff comes amid a broader constitutional tussle between the Tamil Nadu government and the Union government. On April 8, the Supreme Court struck down Tamil Nadu governor RN Ravi's controversial move to reserve 10 re-enacted state bills for presidential assent, and the matter is now part of a presidential reference pending before the top court.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
Minister instructs officials to expedite land acquisition and railway projects in Hassan
Hassan: Union minister of state for railways and Jal Shakthi, V Somanna, instructed authorities to acquire 503 acres of land for the Belur-Hassan railway line and transfer it to the railways within a month. At a meeting at the deputy commissioner's office with officials from the railway, KPTCL, RITES, and the revenue department on Friday, Somanna emphasised that railway officials should take greater responsibility and float tenders to complete the project within two years. KPTCL officials were directed to complete work related to power lines and substations within the stipulated time. He also instructed that measures be taken to resolve the landslide issue on the railway route in the Sakleshpur area within four months. Officials were instructed to complete modernisation works at the Arasikere railway station at a cost of Rs 34 crore, Hassan railway station at Rs 22 crore, and Sakleshpur railway station at Rs 26 crore within the stipulated time. MP Shreyas Patel suggested providing an additional passenger train from Arasikere to Mysuru and a new railway line from Dudda to Tiptur for public convenience. He also requested the minister to provide basic facilities and modernise the dilapidated Kadur and Birur stations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo MLA CN Balakrishna requested the minister to allow the Hassan-Solapur Express train to stop at Shravanabelagola, Channarayapatna, and Hirisave. He also mentioned that running a train to Mumbai three times a week would benefit the people of Channarayapatna taluk. He stressed the need for maintenance to prevent waterlogging in the underpasses at Gadde Bindenahalli, Bekka, Bookanabetta, and Channarayapatna during the rainy season. MLA Manjunath requested the minister to provide basic facilities and modernise the Alur railway station. MLA HK Suresh appealed for double compensation for farmers during land acquisition for railway development projects. SP Mohammad Sujeetha and ZP CEO BR Poornima were present.
New Indian Express
31 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Indus water pact with Pakistan ‘will never be restored', says Amit Shah
India has made it clear that it will not reinstate the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, which was suspended following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The attack, which killed several civilians, including tourists, was backed by Pakistan-based groups, though Pakistan has denied any involvement. In an interview published Saturday in the Times of India, Union Home Minister Amit Shah ruled out any possibility of resuming the 1960 treaty, terming it unfair to India. 'It will never be restored,' Shah said. 'We will take the water that was flowing to Pakistan to Rajasthan by constructing a canal. Pakistan will be starved of water that it has been getting unjustifiably.' The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank, allocated the three western rivers (Indus, Jhelum and Chenab) to Pakistan and the three eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas and Sutlej) to India. It also provided for cooperative arrangements on hydropower and irrigation between the two neighbours.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
OSHEC without a permanent vice-chairperson for around a year
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha State Higher Education Council (OSHEC) has not had a permanent vice-chairperson for nearly a year. Also, the term of the council's 15 members ended this year. The council became headless after the tenure of OSHEC vice-chairman Asoka Kumar Das ended in Aug last year. He received an extension before leaving office. To manage the affairs, higher education secretary Aravind Agrawal is in-charge of the council. The council's main mandate is to develop policies, educational reform-based schemes, and advise the state govt on achieving excellence and inclusivity in the higher education process and student outcomes, according to the OSHEC Act. The council also takes up a coordinating role with state universities for novel higher educational reform initiatives, depending on the need. It initiates and executes state-specific quality initiatives and brings together vice-chancellors and other eminent academicians on one platform to come up with common innovative solutions on issues. Siba Prasad Adhikary, who was in the search committee for selection of the first vice-chairperson of the council, said there should not be any delay in the appointment of the vice chairperson and members. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Citing the OSHEC Act, 2017, he said vacancies shall be filled afresh, and the govt should initiate the process of filling any vacancy due to arise before a period of six months from the date of arising of such vacancy. Jayanta Mohapatra, former vice-chancellor of Berhampur University, said the council has a big role in preparing a common syllabus for undergraduate courses, conducting academic audits, monitoring research works, and scrutinising Mukhyamantri Research Innovation (MRI). "Its role is important in the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) and other programmes in higher education institutions. It cannot become a defunct body. The vice-chairman of the council is a key figure who oversees the functioning of the council and takes important decisions related to the development of higher education in the state. Steps should be taken to address this issue," he added. Higher education secretary Aravind Agrawal could not be contacted for a reaction on the issue despite repeated attempts.
