Stalin meets Modi, seeks release of pending funds to Tamil Nadu

Chennai/New Delhi, Sep 27 (PTI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Friday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and sought early release of pending funds to the state to implement various welfare schemes.

Funds for Chennai Metro Rail phase-2 implementation, release of funds under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme were among the key demands.

The state flagged its concern on National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 vis-à-vis the three-language formula, which is linked to the PM Shri schools scheme and opposed non-release of funds for Samagra Shiksha over difference of opinion on a clause related to implementation of PM Shri/NEP.

Getting released 145 fishers from Sri Lanka, finding a lasting solution to the issue of arrest of Indian fishermen by the island nation and persuading it against nationalising impounded boats and also levying hefty penalty on fishermen formed part of the state’s representation to the Centre.

In a memorandum, Stalin sought the Prime Minister’s intervention for early approval of the phase-2 of Chennai Metro Rail Project under 50:50 equity sharing basis between Central and State governments as was done for phase-1 and as recommended by the Public Investment Board (PIB).

The phase-2 project cost covering three corridors with a total length of 118.9 km was finalised at Rs 63,246 crore (January 2019) in accordance with the new Metro rail policy.

During 2017, JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) came forward to fund the priority stretches to the length of 52.01 km and was insistent on expediting the signing of loan agreement at the earliest. Hence, the state government requested the Centre to obtain loan sanction by treating the project under State sector, without prejudice to further consideration by government of India for its financial assistance.

The project proposal was placed before the PIB in its meeting on August 17, 2021 and the project was recommended for implementation as Central sector project under equity sharing model.

The progress of Chennai Metro Rail phase-2 has slowed down due to fiscal constraints, consequently pushing the final completion date from December 2027 to December 2028. If the project receives funding as recommended by the PIB, CMRL will get an equity infusion of Rs 10,814.8 crore. Equity infusion by the state government alone is not possible as it will affect the company’s ownership structure. Equal equity participation by both the governments is therefore absolutely necessary.

On the education front, the CM said that for the year 2024-25, the Project Approval Board (PAB) for Samagra Shiksha has approved an outlay of Rs 4,305.66 crore, with a committed liability of Rs 3,585.99 crore for Tamil Nadu.

Out of this, the central share of 60 percent amounts to Rs 2,151.59 crore. In spite of having sent the proposal for the release of first instalment fund (25 percent) on April 30 from the State Project Directorate, Tamil Nadu, no amount has been released so far.

The MoU proposed by the Centre for establishing PM Shri schools stipulates implementation of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Tamil Nadu has been implementing most of the provisions of NEP-2020, including the breakfast scheme..

Tamil Nadu’s concern on NEP 2020 primarily relates to the three-language formula.

“Historically, Tamil Nadu has been following the two-language formula (Tamil and English) to protect the State’s cultural identity and to ensure students proficiency in global languages.”

Though NEP says there will flexibility in implementing three language formula and that no language will be imposed on any state, a clause related to this in the MoU does not reflect this spirit of the policy, it said.

It is pertinent to note that Tamil Nadu has been exempted from implementing The Official Languages Act 1963 as mentioned in The Official Languages Rules 1976. “Therefore, Tamil Nadu is seeking an amendment to the MoU in line with the constitutional safeguard provided to it as per the Official Languages Rules 1976.”

However, the Ministry of Education has not agreed to the request made by Tamil Nadu and has not released the central share for the FY 2024-25 under the ongoing Samagra Shiksha Scheme.

“While the difference of opinion is over the clauses of the MoU for implementation of a new scheme namely PM SHRI, the stoppage of release of funds of Samagra Shiksha, which is an ongoing scheme is not acceptable,” the state government contended.

On the fishermen issue, the government said that as on September 23, 2024, 145 fishermen and 191 boats are under Sri Lankan custody, the highest in the last seven years and demanded that the Centre take steps for their release.

Imposing a penalty of SLR 1.5 crore on poor fishermen by the Sri Lankan courts is cruel and beyond comprehension.

The imposition of hefty penalty and nationalisation of apprehended boats must be prevented through diplomatic interventions, Tamil Nadu government said.

After meeting Modi, Stalin met Congress Parliamentary Party chief Sonia Gandhi, ahead of a public rally in Kancheepuram on September 28, where leaders from the opposition coalition will gather.

Stalin described his meeting with Modi as cordial and speaking to reporters, he said his meeting with Sonia Gandhi was out of courtesy. The CM arrived in the national capital on Thursday evening and received a warm welcome from DMK leaders.