Tamil Nadu’s counsel informed the court that the Centre had not released funds for the academic years 2021 to 2023, leaving the state to cover all related expenses.
Published May 22, 2025 | 8:20 PM ⚊ Updated May 22, 2025 | 8:20 PM
Additional Advocate General Ravindran contended that the reason was due to the ruling party at the Centre [the Bharatiya Janata Party] not having a single MP from Tamil Nadu.
Synopsis: The Madras High Court has directed the Union Government to provide an explanation for the delay in releasing Right to Education (RTE) funds owed to Tamil Nadu. The directive came during a hearing on a petition urging the state to begin delayed admissions under the 25 percent RTE quota for underprivileged students in private schools. Tamil Nadu’s counsel informed the court that the Centre had not released funds for the academic years 2021 to 2023, leaving the state to cover all related expenses.
The Madras High Court has directed the Union Government to submit details of funds due to Tamil Nadu under the 25 percent reservation quota mandated by the Right to Education (RTE) Act.
The direction came in response to a petition filed by V Eswaran, an administrator of the Coimbatore-based organisation Marumalarchi Iyakkam, who had sought the court to direct the Tamil Nadu government to begin the delayed admissions under the 25 percent quota for underprivileged students in private schools for the current academic year.
A bench comprising Justices GR Swaminathan and V Lakshminarayanan heard the matter. Following the order, adjourned the hearing to the following day.
During the hearing, Tamil Nadu’s Additional Advocate General Ravindran explained that, as per the RTE Act, the cost of educating students under the quota is to be shared in a 60:40 ratio between the Union and State governments, respectively.
He said that the Union Government had not released any funds to Tamil Nadu for the academic years 2021 to 2023, forcing the state to cover 100 percent of the expenses.
Ravindran added that the Tamil Nadu government, concerned about students’ education, has scheduled a meeting on 28 May to decide on the next steps should the Centre continue to withhold funds.
He also noted that the state has already approached the Supreme Court regarding the issue.
When the judges observed that private schools could be adversely affected by the delay in reimbursements, Ravindran urged the court to question the Centre on the delay in funding.
Appearing for the Union Government, counsel Babu stated that funds were being disbursed to all states, but Tamil Nadu had not received its share ‘certain reasons’.
Additional Advocate General Ravindran contended that the reason was due to the ruling party at the Centre [the Bharatiya Janata Party] not having a single MP from Tamil Nadu.
(Edited by Dese Gowda with inputs form Subash Chandra Bose)
