Supreme Court Declines Urgent Hearing In TN’s Plea Over ₹2,151 Cr Education Funds
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to grant an urgent hearing to a suit filed by the Tamil Nadu government against the Union Ministry of Education, alleging the arbitrary withholding of over Rs. 2,151 crore in central funds under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme for the financial year 2024–2025.
The Bench of Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Manmohan observed that there was “no urgency” in the matter and said the case could be taken up after the current spell of “partial working days.”
The petition filed under Article 131 of the Constitution, which vests the Apex Court with exclusive jurisdiction to adjudicate disputes between states and the Centre, the Tamil Nadu government’s suit challenges the alleged conditional release of funds based on the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, and the PM SHRI Schools Scheme.
The DMK-led government has objected to the Centre’s move to make disbursal of Samagra Shiksha funds contingent upon the state agreeing to implement the NEP, including the contentious three-language formula. Tamil Nadu has long opposed the imposition of Hindi and has refused to adopt the NEP in its entirety.
The plea urges the Court to declare that neither the NEP nor the PM SHRI Schools Scheme is binding on Tamil Nadu unless a formal agreement is reached. It also seeks a declaration that the Centre’s communications dated February 23 and March 7, 2024, which allegedly link fund release to policy implementation, are illegal, void ab initio, and unenforceable against the state.
According to the petition, the Project Approval Board of the Ministry of Education had sanctioned a total outlay of Rs. 3,585.99 crore for Tamil Nadu under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme for FY 2024–25, with the Centre's 60% share amounting to Rs. 2,151.59 crore. However, the state claims that no instalments have been released yet due to the Centre’s unilateral policy conditions.
The state has demanded the immediate release of Rs. 2,291.30 crore (including additional costs), along with interest at 6% per annum from May 1, 2025, until the amount is paid.
Highlighting the grave implications of the fund freeze, the plea states that the non-payment is affecting teacher salaries and school operations, ultimately undermining quality education and broader societal development.