Chennai, May 24 (UNI) Appealing to the Centre not to differentiate the states

as it would not augur well for Federal India, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin

urged the Union Gov3rnot to release to Rs 2,200 crore due funds to TN under

the SSA scheme.

Speaking at the Niti Aayog meeting convened by Prime Minister Narendra

Modi in New Delhi, he said since some states were not in agreement with

the Union Education Ministry on PM Shri scheme, funds were refused to

them under the SSA scheme.

Especially, Rs 2,200 crore funds due for the year 2024-25 was refused to

Tamil Nadu under the scheme, he said and urged the Centre to immediately

release the funds to the State.

Stating that non release of funds affected the education of children studying in

government schools and under RTE in the state, Mr Stalin said the Centre,

without any further delay and without insisting on any conditions, should release

the SSA funds to the State.

The fact that the States should always get its due share of funds after protracted

struggle and legal battle does jot augur well for Federal India as it would impinge

the State and country's growth.

He also said that cooperative federalism would form the basis of attaining the

Prime Minister's goal of India becoming USD 30 trillion dollar economy by 2047

and pointed out that the States play a key role in achieving this target.

UNI GV 1630