Ready to release Samagra Shiksha funds to Kerala subject to NEP implementation: Union Minister

The Union government has released only ₹141.65 crore to Kerala against the sanctioned amount of ₹343.34 crore under the Samagra Shiksha scheme in 2023-24; Zero funds against sanctioned amount of ₹428.89 crore and sanctioned amount of ₹92.41 crore in 2024-25. ₹452.04 crore in 2025-26.

This was announced by Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday in response to an unstarred question from DMK MP Rajathi.

The minister’s reply states that approval of work plan and central assistance under Samagra Shiksha depends on factors such as annual work plan and budget submitted by States or Union Territories, opening balance available with States/UTs at the beginning of the financial year, infrastructure gaps, student enrollment, fund utilization pattern in previous years and dissemination efforts approved in previous years.

However, in response to MP John Brittas’ question during Question Hour, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that the Union government is ready to release the entire approved funds for the State during 2025-26 subject to the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP).

Mr Brittas was seeking the release of the remaining Samagra Shiksha funds sanctioned to Kerala during 2025-26.

PM SHRI

The MP alleged that Samagra Shiksha funds were denied to Kerala as the Prime Minister did not agree with the SHRI scheme. He asked Mr. Pradhan whether the Union government was ready to separate the Samagra Shiksha scheme from PM SHRI for the purpose of providing funds to Kerala. He also questioned why Samagra Shiksha was linked to PM SHRI, which was launched later in 2022.

Mr. Pradhan claimed that almost the entire country agreed that NEP, Samagra Shiksha and PM SHRI should be implemented.

He said that Kerala Chief Minister agreed to sign the SHRI MoU but later did not implement the plan due to infighting in the ruling alliance in the state. The Union Minister said the Kerala government should resolve the issue and the State should get the money it is entitled to.

Mr. Pradhan also said that Mr. Brittas was acting as a mediator between the State and Union governments. Mr Pradhan said Mr Brittas had built the bridge between the Kerala government and the Union government.

However, Mr Brittas told the media that he did not mediate the implementation of PM SHRI. He said he accompanied Kerala General Education Minister V. Sivankutty to meet Mr. Pradhan. He had also submitted many petitions to the Minister seeking release of funds for Kerala. But this was part of his duty and responsibility as an MP. “Whether the Chief Minister joins SHRI or not is a matter for the State government. There is no need to interfere in this.”

He also said that Mr. Pradhan’s words were misinterpreted. The MP said the Union Minister only meant that he and Mr Brittas had met and discussed the issue several times.