New Delhi, June 9 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Monday declined to urgently list a suit filed by the Tamil Nadu government against the Union Government, seeking the release of over Rs 2,291 crore under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme (SSS).
A bench comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Manmohan rejected the plea for early listing during the court’s partial working days, observing that there was “no urgency” in the matter.
Senior Advocate P. Wilson, representing the Tamil Nadu government, pressed for an urgent hearing, arguing that nearly 48 lakh students in the state were being deprived of essential education funds.
“All students in Tamil Nadu are being denied their right to education funds by the central government. The new academic year began on June 3, and admissions are underway,” Wilson submitted.
When Justice Mishra enquired when the funds had stopped, Wilson responded that the funds had not been released since last year and that the original suit was filed on May 20, 2025. Despite this, the bench declined the urgent listing request.
Tamil Nadu has approached the Supreme Court under Article 131 of the Constitution, accusing the Centre of unlawfully withholding funds under the SSS. The state contends that the denial is tied to its non-implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the PM SHRI (Schools for Rising India) scheme.
In its suit, Tamil Nadu seeks a direction for the Union Government to release the pending Rs 2,291 crore along with applicable interest.
The state also seeks a declaration that making the release of SSS funds contingent upon the adoption of NEP 2020 and the PM SHRI scheme is “unconstitutional, illegal, unreasonable, and arbitrary.
