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The Hindu
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Tamil Nadu sues Centre in Supreme Court over non-disbursal of ₹2,000-crore education funds
The State of Tamil Nadu has filed an original suit in the Supreme Court accusing the Centre of stopping its annual share of crucial education funds to the tune of over ₹2000-crore under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme. The suit, represented by senior advocate P. Wilson and drafted by advocates Richardson Wilson and Apoorv Malhotra, said the 'glaring and apparent reason' for the non-disbursement of Samagra Shiksha Scheme funds was the State's vociferous opposition to the imposition of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 with its three-language formula and the NEP-exemplary PM Shri Schools' Scheme. The PM SHRI Schools Scheme mandates the implementation of the NEP-2020 in its entirety in the State. Also read: PM SHRI, NEP 2020 and Tamil Nadu: Politics looms over an education dispute The suit, filed through Tamil Nadu State counsel Sabarish Subramanian, submitted the Samagra Shiksha Scheme was not connected to the NEP-2020 and PM Shri Schools' Scheme in any way. 'The Union Government by withholding the State's entitlement to receive funds under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme is in ignorance of the doctrine of cooperative federalism. The halt of education funds amounts to the usurpation of the constitutional power of the State to legislate under Entry 25, List III (education). The Union Government seeks to coerce the State to implement the NEP-2020 throughout the State in its entirety and to deviate from the education regime followed in the State,' the suit argued. The Centre's unilateral refusal to provide education funds amounted to a 'blatant diktat' for the implementation of NEP-2020 and the linkage of the Samagra Shiksha Scheme with the PM SHRI Schools scheme. Also read: Over 90% in Hindi-belt States speak only one language, rest of India is more bilingual: Data The non-disbursement of ₹2151,59,61,000 towards its obligatory 60% contribution share under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme to Tamil Nadu for 2025-2026 as approved by the Project Approval Board has gravely hit the Samagra Shiksha Scheme and the implementation of the RTE Act, 2009. The lack of funds had affected 43,94,906 students, 2,21,817 teachers and 32,701 staff members in the State. The Board had allocated a total of ₹3585.99 crore as the total outlay for expenditure under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme. The State sought a judicial declaration that NEP-2020 and PM SHRI Schools' Scheme was not binding on Tamil Nadu. It urged the court to declare the linkage of the State's entitlement to receive Central share of education funds under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme with the total implementation of the NEP-2020 PM SHRI Schools 'unconstitutional, illegal, arbitrary and unreasonable'. The suit wanted the Centre to pay up ₹2291 crore to the State within a specified time fixed by the apex court along with 6% interest per annum on the principal sum from May 1, 2025 till the date of realisation of the decree. Tamil Nadu said Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had written to the Prime Minister objecting to the linking of the Samagra Shiksha Scheme with the full implementation of NEP-2020 and PM SHRI Schools Scheme, and sought his intervention for the release of the education funds. Mr. Stalin had conveyed that the linkage was 'fundamentally unacceptable' and amounted to a pressure tactic to coerce the State to accept the Centrally-mandated programmes against its own time-tested State policies in a blatant violation of cooperative federalism. The Union government had rejected the CM's concerns, the suit said. The State said it had consistently opposed the three-language formula under the NEP. In fact, the State legislative Assembly had passed a resolution in January 1968 had rejected the Official Languages (Amendment) Act, 1967, as well as the corresponding resolution passed by the Parliament. 'This State Resolution called for the scrapping of the three-language formula and mandated that only Tamil and English be taught in schools across Tamil Nadu, with Hindi being excluded from the curriculum. Consequently, the State has been exempted from implementing the Official Languages Act, 1963, as provided under the Official Languages Rules, 1976. Also read: How the two-language policy officially came into force in the State of Madras The State contended that Clause 4.13 of the NEP-2020 recommended the three-language formula in all States 'under the guise of multilingualism'. 'The State has enacted legislation that duly conforms with the two-language policy envisioned by it. The third language is left to the option of the students who do not have Tamil or English as their mother tongue. Section 3 of the Tamil Nadu Tamil Learning Act, 2006 mandates the teaching of Tamil language as a compulsory subject from Classes one to 10 in all schools in a phased manner… The Union government cannot compel the State to implement its own policy under the guise of providing financial support,' Tamil Nadu underscored.
Calgary Herald
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Olympian, University of Calgary star Dawn Richardson Wilson returns to national bobsleigh program
Article content Dawn Richardson Wilson is back in bobsleigh. Article content The multi-sport athlete from Edmonton has confirmed she will make another run at earning a spot to represent Canada at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano/Cortina, Italy. Article content 'I'm excited to return to bobsleigh for the chance to re-engage with the sport now with a renewed purpose, deeper focus and a stronger sense of identity,' said the 25-year-old. 'The intensity of the ice, the team's unity at the start line, and the precision required to compete at the highest level are irreplaceable experiences. I have truly missed the rush, challenge, and camaraderie of wearing the maple leaf. Representing Canada is an incredible honour and I am doing so now with a fresh perspective, maturity, and gratitude so it means more to me than ever before.' Article content Article content Richardson Wilson stepped away from the icy track after making her Olympic debut at Beijing 2022 to complete her education at the University of Calgary where she also represented the Dinos in track and field. Over the last four years, she set new school records, achieved personal bests and challenged herself across various events from 60m to 300m to hurdles. Outside of sport, she worked as a correctional officer at the Calgary Remand Centre. Article content Article content 'This time away has truly been a gift. It has provided me with the space to slow down, recover physically, and allow myself to reflect on why I pursued this path in the first place – and that work is far from done,' said Richardson Wilson. Article content 'Spending time in track and field was about returning to the basics and honestly addressing the areas where I needed improvement. In bobsleigh, the start is crucial; those first few seconds can make or break a run. I realized I needed to become more explosive, quicker off the line, and sharper in my sprint mechanics. Track training allowed me to isolate and focus on these elements without the distraction of the sled. It helped me rebuild a solid athletic foundation, concentrating on speed, power, and proper movement. Although it wasn't easy, the process has been both humbling and rewarding, and I can already feel the difference in how I move and push.' Article content Article content The multi-sport athlete competed for Canada at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, but her journey into bobsleigh began after having a conversation with her mentor and high school basketball coach, Dean Walls. He drew her attention to an open recruitment camp for bobsleigh that was taking place in Edmonton. Richardson Wilson rose to the challenge. She began training with her strength and conditioning coach and impressed during her first camp. Small in size and stature, big in heart, work ethic and natural talent, Richardson Wilson made an immediate impression on national bobsleigh program coaches. Article content
