Samagra Siksha Scheme case* Today, the suit filed by the Tamil Nadu government against the Union government seeking for A) Declaring that the National Educational Policy, 2020 and PM SHRI Schools Scheme as not binding on the Plaintiff State unless the Plaintiff and the Defendant enter into an agreement to implement the same within the State of Tamil Nadu;

[14/11, 17:24] Sekarreporter: *Samagra Siksha Scheme case*
Today, the suit filed by the Tamil Nadu government against the Union government seeking for
A) Declaring that the National Educational Policy, 2020 and PM SHRI Schools Scheme as not binding on the Plaintiff State unless the Plaintiff and the Defendant enter into an agreement to implement the same
within the State of Tamil Nadu;
B) Declaring that the Defendant’s actions in linking the Plaintiff’s entitlement to receive funds under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme to the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 and PM SHRI Schools within the State of Tamil Nadu as unconstitutional, illegal,
arbitrary and unreasonable and consequently declare Letters dated 23.02.2024, 07.03.2024 issued by the Defendant as illegal, null and void
ab initio and not binding on the Plaintiff;
C) Directing the Defendant to pay to the Plaintiff State a sum of Rs. 2291,30,24,769/- (Rupees Two thousand two hundred and ninety one crores thirty lakhs twenty four thousand seven hundred and sixty nine
only) within a time frame to be fixed by this Hon’ble Court together with future interest at the rate of 6% per annum on the principal sum of Rs.2151,59,61,000/-(Rupees Two Thousand One Hundred and Fifty- One Crores Fifty-Nine Lakhs and Sixty-One Thousand Only) from
1.5.2025 till date of realisation of the decree.
(D) Directing the Defendant to continue to comply with and perform its statutory obligations of paying to the Plaintiff State grants in aid of revenues for implementation of obligations under The Right of Children
to Fee and Compulsory Education Act, 2010, including but not limited to paying the Defendant’s share of 60% of expenditure in accordance with law before the commencement of every academic year and within thetime frame to be fixed by this Hon’ble Court
*Came up for hearing before the Chamber Judge, Hon’ble , Mr. Justice Atul S Chandurkar*.

Mr P Wilson Senior Advocate Assisted by Sabarish Subramanian AOR appearing for the state of Tamil Nadu submitted that the Union Government has not paid the Samara Shiksha funds to TN Government from the academic year 2021 -2022 onwards which lead to huge arrears of Rs 2291,30,24,769/- and that, withholding of funds impacted 43,94,906 students, 2,21,817 teachers, and 32,701 staff members across the State and emphasised the urgency of the situation, and accordingly pressed for posting of interim relief petitions before the court for hearing . In the interim relief petition TN Govt has asked for payment of Rs 2151,59,61,000/-(Rupees Two Thousand One Hundred and Fifty- One Crores Fifty-Nine Lakhs and Sixty-One Thousand Only) pending the disposal of suit. The Union government through appeared was taking time for filing counter.
Accepting the arguments of Mr P. Wilson for state of TN, the Hon’ble chamber Judge directed the Union Government to file its Written Statement within eight weeks and further ordered that the interlocutory application seeking interim relief be listed after three weeks before the court.

The suit further highlights that samagra siksha scheme amounts, though has been duly approved by the Project Approval Board after TN Govt has shown full compliance , has not been released by Union Government on the sole ground that Hindi is not compulsorily taught in state schools, resulting in a complete standstill in the implementation of various directives under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, within Tamil Nadu.
[14/11, 17:24] Sekarreporter: 👍