Dharmendra Pradhan said that the Central shares are subject to submission of utilization certificates of the released funds. File | Photo credit: The Hindu
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan reiterated the Centre’s stand that all states will have to comply with the conditions laid down in the Samagara Shiksha to receive funds.
In response to a question raised by Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas seeking reasons for withholding/delaying release of central share, Mr. Pradhan said in a written reply that “Release of central share is subject to submission of utilization certificates, audit reports regarding funds released earlier, physical and financial progress reports, government contributions and compliance with scheme norms.”
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During question hour, Mr. Brittas mentioned charges worth ₹ 1,160.52 crores from 2022-23 under the Samagra Shiksha scheme. The scheme was launched in 2018, while the National Education Policy was launched in 2020 and by PM-Shri in 2022. He asked whether states were forced to accept the 2020 or 2022 scheme as a condition for getting funds under the 2018 scheme and called it “arm-twisting”.
Responding to him, Mr. Pradhan accused Mr. Brittas of “establishing” the House and said it was not about party politics. He said non-BJP-ruled states like Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Punjab and Telangana are getting funds under this scheme. He stated that the government is ready to release all outstanding fees provided the conditions for the implementation of the National Education Policy are met.
In a supplementary question, R. Girirajan of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam asked Mr. Pradhan when the Center planned to release the Tamil Nadu dues. The minister did not directly answer the question, instead pointing to the Supreme Court’s recent pronouncements in response to the Public Interest Litigation and calling on the Union Government and the Tamil Nadu Government to discuss the issue of setting up Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas in the state.
“Tamil Nadu cannot set conditions, it says we will introduce this much, we will not introduce this much. he said.
Published – 03 Dec 2025 23:19 IST
