Thu Apr 03 20:16:50 UTC 2025: **Centre Delays Education Funds to Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal**

New Delhi, April 4, 2025 – The central government has yet to release funds allocated under the Samagra Shiksha scheme to Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, despite approval of ₹328.90 crore, ₹2,151.60 crore, and ₹1,745.80 crore respectively for the current fiscal year. This was revealed in a Rajya Sabha response by Minister of State for Education, Jayant Choudhary, to a question from CPI(M) MP John Brittas.

As of March 27th, 2025, zero funds had been disbursed to these three states, a stark contrast to the ₹27,833.50 crore released to the remaining 33 states and union territories. Uttar Pradesh received the largest allocation (₹6,971.26 crore), receiving ₹4,487.46 crore by the same date.

The delay is attributed to various criteria for fund release, including expenditure pace, state share receipt, audited accounts, and outstanding advances. However, a Parliamentary Standing Committee criticized the withholding of funds, citing severe impacts on teacher salaries, RTE reimbursements, and student transportation in affected states. The committee deemed withholding funds due to disagreements on separate schemes like PM-SHRI as unjustifiable.

The delay in Tamil Nadu specifically is linked to the state’s refusal to implement the three-language formula under the National Education Policy (NEP) and sign a related MoU for PM-SHRI schools. The committee has urged the Ministry of Education to immediately release the pending funds to prevent further disruptions to education services.

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