The Supreme Court refused to grant an urgent hearing to a plea filed by the Tamil Nadu government against the Centre over the release of funds over Rs 2291 crore under the Samagra Shiksha Yojana (SSS) by June 9, 2025.
A vacation bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Manmohan heard the matter. The court said there was "no urgency" to list the matter during the partial working days of the court session.
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In response to the state's request for urgent listing, Justice Mishra said, "There is no urgency."
Senior advocate P. Wilson, representing the Tamil Nadu government, mentioned the matter for urgent listing. He argued that nearly 48 lakh students in Tamil Nadu are being deprived of the right to education due to the Centre's failure to release funds. He highlighted that the academic year had begun on June 3 and the admission process was underway.
"All the students in Tamil Nadu schools, 48 lakh students, are being denied the right to education funds by the central government. I have to give admissions. I have started the new academic year from June 3," advocate P. Wilson said.
When the bench asked about the period for which the funds were denied, P. Wilson replied:
"Last year the funds were not released. We have filed the suit on May 20, 2025."
The State of Tamil Nadu has filed an original suit under Article 131 of the Constitution against the Central Government, alleging that the Centre has withheld funds due under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme as the State has not implemented the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and PM Shri School Programme.
The Tamil Nadu government in its plea has sought the Centre to release Rs 2291 crore along with interest. The State has also sought a declaration from the Court stating that the Centre’s action of linking the release of funds to NEP 2020 and PM Shri implementation is:
“unconstitutional, illegal, unreasonable and arbitrary.”
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The case highlights the growing confrontation between the State and the Centre over education policy and fund allocation. The matter is pending for hearing on regular listing basis.
Case : State of Tamil Nadu v Union of India | Diary No. 28793/2025
