Stalin confident of retaining power
Chennai: On the concluding day of the Tamil Nadu Assembly session, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed confidence that the DMK would return to power for a seventh term. Wrapping up the debate in the House, Stalin highlighted his government's achievements over the past four years, declaring that the state is entering a 'golden period' under the
Dravidian model of governance. CM Stalin credited the government's performance to dedicated and consistent efforts, noting that Tamil Nadu has recorded a 9.6 per cent economic growth rate, according to Union Government statistics. Reflecting on the legacy of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, CM Stalin said that had his father been alive, he would have described the current tenure as one of the notable achievements.
He added that his administration continues to be guided by Karunanidhi's vision and ideals. The session also saw members of alliance parties raise pressing concerns. Tamizhaga Vaazhvurimai Katchi (TVK) leader and MLA T. Velmurugan highlighted environmental issues related to mining operations by the Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) in Neyveli.
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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Supreme Court refuses urgent hearing to Tamil Nadu's plea against Centre over education funds
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to accord urgent hearing to a plea filed by the Tamil Nadu government against the Centre for allegedly withholding over Rs 2,151 crore in central education funds under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme for 2024-2025. A bench comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Manmohan took note of the fact that the state government filed the petition in May alleging withholding of central funds for 2024 and this year also. "There is no urgency and it can be taken up after the 'partial working days' (the new name of summer vacation)," the bench said. In May, the Tamil Nadu government moved the top court against the Centre for allegedly withholding the funds. The DMK government 's plea, filed against the Union Ministry of Education , invokes Article 131 of the Constitution which provides exclusive jurisdiction to the top court to hear pleas between the Centre and one or more states, or between one or more states. Live Events The state government alleged the Centre attempted to force the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the associated PM SHRI Schools Scheme which it strongly objected to, particularly the contentious three-language formula. The top court, therefore, was urged to declare that the NEP and the PM SHRI Schools Scheme are not binding on the plaintiff state unless and until a formal agreement is entered into between the plaintiff and the defendant for their implementation within Tamil Nadu . The lawsuit has also sought a declaration that the action of the Centre to link Tamil Nadu's entitlement to receive funds under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme to the implementation of the NEP, 2020, and the PM SHRI Schools Scheme within the state are unconstitutional, illegal, arbitrary, unreasonable . It has also urged the top court to declare the Centre's letters of February 23, 2024 and March 07, 2024 as illegal, null, void ab initio and not binding on the state government. The plea sought a direction to the Centre to pay "Rs 2,291,30,24,769 (two thousand two hundred and ninety-one crore thirty lakhs twenty-four thousand seven hundred and sixty-nine) within a time frame to be fixed by this court" along with a future interest of 6 per cent per annum on the "principal sum of Rs 2,151,59,61,000 (two thousand one hundred and fifty-one crore fifty nine lakh and sixty one thousand) from May 1, 2025 until realisation of the decree". The dispute stems from the non-release of central funds under the Scheme, a flagship centrally sponsored programme for school education aimed at universalising quality education. The Project Approval Board (PAB) of the Ministry of Education had approved a total outlay of Rs 3,585.99 crore for Tamil Nadu for FY 2024 25, of which the Union Government's committed 60 per cent share amounted to Rs 2,151.59 crore. The plea said despite this approval, no instalments have been disbursed by the Centre as yet. The Centre, it said, unilaterally linked the release of these funds to Tamil Nadu's full implementation of NEP 2020 and the signing of an MoU for the PM SHRI Schools Scheme, conditions which were neither part of the original Samagra Shiksha Scheme nor agreed upon by the state. The reason for such non-disbursement is that the defendant has linked the release of Samagra Shiksha Scheme funds with the implementation of national education policy and NEP exemplary PM SHRI Schools' Scheme despite the fact that these policy/scheme are separate schemes, it said. Referring to the impact of non-release of Samagra Shiksha funds, the plea said paying salaries was crucial in maintaining competent and motivated teachers and supporting staff. It directly impacts the quality of education provided to students and contributes to overall societal development by nurturing the next generation with the skills and knowledge needed for success, it added. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
SC refuses urgent hearing to TN's plea against Centre over education funds
New Delhi, The Supreme Court on Monday refused to accord urgent hearing to a plea filed by the Tamil Nadu government against the Centre for allegedly withholding over ₹2,151 crore in central education funds under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme for 2024-2025. A bench comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Manmohan took note of the fact that the state government filed the petition in May alleging withholding of central funds for 2024 and this year also. "There is no urgency and it can be taken up after the 'partial working days' ," the bench said. In May, the Tamil Nadu government moved the top court against the Centre for allegedly withholding the funds. The DMK government's plea, filed against the Union Ministry of Education, invokes Article 131 of the Constitution which provides exclusive jurisdiction to the top court to hear pleas between the Centre and one or more states, or between one or more states. The state government alleged the Centre attempted to force the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 and the associated PM SHRI Schools Scheme which it strongly objected to, particularly the contentious three-language formula. The top court, therefore, was urged to declare that the NEP and the PM SHRI Schools Scheme are not binding on the plaintiff state unless and until a formal agreement is entered into between the plaintiff and the defendant for their implementation within Tamil Nadu . The lawsuit has also sought a declaration that the action of the Centre to link Tamil Nadu's entitlement to receive funds under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme to the implementation of the NEP, 2020, and the PM SHRI Schools Scheme within the state are unconstitutional, illegal, arbitrary, unreasonable . It has also urged the top court to declare the Centre's letters of February 23, 2024 and March 07, 2024 as illegal, null, void ab initio and not binding on the state government. The plea sought a direction to the Centre to pay " ₹2,291,30,24,769 within a time frame to be fixed by this court" along with a future interest of 6 per cent per annum on the "principal sum of ₹2,151,59,61,000 from May 1, 2025 until realisation of the decree". The dispute stems from the non-release of central funds under the Scheme, a flagship centrally sponsored programme for school education aimed at universalising quality education. The Project Approval Board of the Ministry of Education had approved a total outlay of ₹3,585.99 crore for Tamil Nadu for FY 2024 25, of which the Union Government's committed 60 per cent share amounted to ₹2,151.59 crore. The plea said despite this approval, no instalments have been disbursed by the Centre as yet. The Centre, it said, unilaterally linked the release of these funds to Tamil Nadu's full implementation of NEP 2020 and the signing of an MoU for the PM SHRI Schools Scheme, conditions which were neither part of the original Samagra Shiksha Scheme nor agreed upon by the state. The reason for such non-disbursement is that the defendant has linked the release of Samagra Shiksha Scheme funds with the implementation of national education policy and NEP exemplary PM SHRI Schools' Scheme despite the fact that these policy/scheme are separate schemes, it said. Referring to the impact of non-release of Samagra Shiksha funds, the plea said paying salaries was crucial in maintaining competent and motivated teachers and supporting staff. It directly impacts the quality of education provided to students and contributes to overall societal development by nurturing the next generation with the skills and knowledge needed for success, it added.
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
NDA will form govt in TN in 2026, oust DMK: Amit Shah
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would form government in Tamil Nadu, Union home minister Amit Shah said on Sunday as he launched a scathing attack on the MK Stalin-led DMK government for 'rising corruption, crimes against women and drug mafia' over the last four years. He also reiterated his demand to the state government for teaching medical and engineering courses in Tamil. 'I live in Delhi, but my ears are always on Tamil Nadu,' Shah said. 'The chief minister here says that Amit Shah cannot defeat the DMK. He is right. It won't be me. But, the people of Tamil Nadu will defeat the DMK,' Shah said at a rally in Madurai. He added: 'MK Stalin says that Amit Shah cannot defeat DMK. He is right. It's not me, but the people of Tamil Nadu will defeat you.' Both Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are set to go to polls next year. On April 11, Shah announced that the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will fight the 2026 assembly elections in Tamil Nadu together under the leadership of former chief minister Edappadi Palaniswami. The announcement, which renewed an alliance that broke off in 2023 amid acrimony, has made the 2026 contest four cornered – the DMK-led INDIA bloc, the AIADMK-led NDA, Seeman's Naam Tamizhar Katchi, and political debutant actor Vijay's Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam. The incumbent Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has won every election in Tamil Nadu since 2019 and the NDA hopes to maximise its chances by roping in the big Dravidian rival, which last won a state poll in 2016. The AIADMK, which has ruled Tamil Nadu for 30 out of the last 47 years, has lost every election since J Jayalalithaa's death in 2016. During his visit to Madurai on Sunday, Shah reiterated his demand to the ruling DMK to teach medical and engineering courses in Tamil. Amid a raging battle between the ruling DMK and the Centre over language and central funds, the Union minister said: 'The BJP Government at the Centre has provided ₹6.80 lakh crore in the last 10 years to Tamil Nadu and yet the Chief Minister keeps asking what the Centre has done for TN.' Shah's statement comes weeks after the Tamil Nadu government moved the Supreme Court, alleging that the Union government was withholding of ₹2,151 crore under a centrally-sponsored education scheme, alleging that it was done to 'coerce' and 'force' the state to implement the National Education Policy (NEP). In its plea filed on May 20, the state sought release of funds under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme (SSS) for 2024-25. It said the funds were withheld due to the state's refusal to adopt the NEP and opposition to the three-language policy, which includes Hindi. On the language issue, Shah said: 'I'm reminding the Tamil Nadu government again (about language). You keep talking of Tamil (pride). But why haven't you introduced teaching higher education like engineering in Tamil? I also want to ask Stalin why he has never thanked (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi for installing Tamil's symbol sengol in the Parliament?' The Union home minister also raked up the alleged Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) case — a state-run alcoholic beverages body — claiming it cost the state exchequer ₹ 39,000 crore, which could otherwise be used to build 'two extra rooms in every school in Tamil Nadu'. The Enforcement Directorate had recently conducted searches in respect of the ' ₹1,000 crore TASMAC scam'. However, last month, the Supreme Court halted ED proceedings into the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, after hearing a plea by the Tamil Nadu government, who said it was an overreach of the central agency's powers and a violation of the Constitution. He also alleged that the DMK government committed a sand mining fraud to the tune of ₹4,600 crore, causing poor people of the state to buy sand at inflated prices just to help the ruling party to mint money. 'The DMK government has crossed all limits of DMK government was involved in a ₹ 4,600 crore sand mining scam, which has severely impacted the lives of the poor.' Shah levelled allegations of irregularities in Centre's ₹450-crore nutrition kit programme and said a private firm was given contract leading to graft. He added: 'Crimes against women, drug mafia are increasing in Tamil Nadu... There is unemployment. But the Tamil Nadu chief minister doesn't care about all this.' Shah drew in Tamil deity Lord Murugan over the Thiruparankunram issue. Earlier in February, there was tension at a temple (one of the six abodes of Lord Murugan) in Thiruparankundram near Madurai after members of the right wing outfit, Hindu Munnani, held a protest against a demand by a few Muslim organisations to rename the hillock, which is also home to a dargah as Sikander malai (hillock). At the time, the residents here belonging to the Hindu and Muslim communities had said that they have coexisted peacefully for generations. But Shah said that the DMK had insulted Hindu worshippers here. Shah urged people to participate in large numbers on June 22 for BJP's conference on Lord Murugan in Madurai. Earlier in the day, Shah met district and mandal-level office bearers, chaired the meeting of the state core committee of the Tamil Nadu BJP. He also offered prayers at the Madurai Meenakshi temple. The DMK hit back at Shah, alleging that crimes against women in Odisha were high since the BJP formed the government in 2024 and said that the conflict in Manipur was an example of the BJP rule. 'Today, Amit Shah has unleashed a barrage of lies against the DMK...' DMK's organising secretary RS Bharathi said. He also accused Shah of using the AIADMK as a puppet to grow in TN. 'It seems that Amit Shah has forgotten about the 2021 assembly elections. He campaigned using BJP's Annamalai, (AIADMK's late stalwarts) MGR and Jayalalithaa. There are many stories of BJP members campaigning without even mentioning Modi's name.'
