Annamalai accuses Stalin of ‘spreading a lie’ in fund allocation under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan

BJP State president accuses Chief Minister of spreading lies about education funds allocation in Tamil Nadu.

BJP State president K. Annamalai on Sunday accused Chief Minister M.K. Stalin of “spreading a lie” with respect to the allocation of funds under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan to Tamil Nadu.

Responding to Mr. Stalin’s charge on the Union government’s “unjust attitude against Tamil Nadu”, Mr. Annamalai, in a social media post, said Tamil Nadu had lost its sheen and was at the bottom of the table in numeracy and basic language proficiency (Tamil). “Mr. Stalin and his coterie should be ashamed of bringing down the quality of education, politicising education, and depriving the children of Tamil Nadu of equal opportunities and world-class education,” he said.

“The Tamil Nadu government committed in March last year that it will implement all aspects of Samagra Shiksha, including PM Shri, from the beginning of this academic year. Did you or did you not make this commitment, Mr. Stalin? How do you expect the Centre to pay the State for a programme that is not implemented?” he questioned.

As per the recent fund releases to States under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, 35 of 36 States and Union Territories are yet to receive the allocated amount for the year 2024-25. “Do you have no shame in spreading a lie that the funds allocated to Tamil Nadu are diverted to other States?” Mr. Annamalai charged.