BJP Uses Fund Release as Tactic to Coerce TN: Stalin

ACCUSING the BJP-led union government of using the release of funds as a pressure tactic to coerce Tamil Nadu into adopting centrally-mandated programmes against its own time-tested state policies, Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday said the centre's attitude violates cooperative federalism and grossly undermines the states' right to shape their own education policies based on their own specific needs.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Chennai

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the CM expressed deep concern over the remarks of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan that Samagra Shiksha (SS) funds for Tamil Nadu would not be released till the state implements the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in its entirety and adopts the three-language policy.

Pointing out that SS funds to the tune of Rs 2,152 crore has not been released even after multiple representations, the CM sought the personal intervention of the PM to ensure the immediate release of the funds.

The CM also reiterated that linking two different centrally-sponsored schemes of SS and PM SHRI Schools was fundamentally unacceptable.