Chennai, Mar 14 (UNI) With the Centre refusing to release due share of funds under

the SSA scheme for the school education sector citing non-acceptance of NEP, which

includes the three-language policy the Tamil Nadu government has been using its own

resources to pay the salaries of teachers, while sticking to its existing bilingual policy,

Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu said on Friday.

Presenting the Budget for the year 2025-26 in the State Assembly, he said Under the

‘Samagra Shiksha’ scheme, the State Government has been successfully implementing

various student welfare schemes for the past seven years.

Notably, initiatives such as the 'Ennum Ezhuthum Thittam' to ensure foundational literacy,

special education for differently-abled children, transport allowances for students from

remote areas, salary for teachers, guidance for higher education to shape students' future,

art festivals to nurture unique talents, educational tours and infrastructure development,

including internet facilities in schools, are in progress, he said.

He said the Members of this august House were aware tht the Union Government has

withheld the approved amount of Rs.2,152 crore to Tamil Nadu, citing the State’s

non-acceptance of the Union Government’s New Education Policy, which includes the

three-language policy.

Despite this, keeping in mind thewelfare of students, the State Government has allocated

funds, including salaries of teachers, from its own resources to ensure that the education

of Government school students remains unaffected, even in the slightest way, he added.

Even at this critical juncture, the people of Tamil Nadu have wholeheartedly rallied behind

Chief Minister M K Stalin for upholding the dignity of the State by standing firm on the

bilingual policy, even at the cost of foregoing Rs 2,000 crores.

Recalling the powerful words of poet Pavendar Bharathidasan to inspire the people of

Tamil Nadu as they stand firmly behind the Chief Minister, with unwavering determination,

despite all obstacles, he said “Any opposition to a Tamilian to work for the betterment of

Tamil community will eventually crumble and fail even if it is a mighty mountain”.

UNI GV 1620