Release SSA funds, India can't grow by punishing states: Stalin

CHENNAI: Days after Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan said Centre will not release Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan funds until Tamil Nadu accepted the New Education Policy, CM M K Stalin hit back saying India cannot grow by punishing states.

"Respect federalism, release funds, and let people benefit from what is rightfully theirs," Stalin wrote on X on Tuesday, adding, "TN is being denied Samagra Shiksha funds only because we refuse to accept Hindi imposition. When will this injustice end?"

He said Centre cannot entirely take credit for giving relief to people through GST reduction. "It is our duty to point out that 50% of this relief has been borne by state govts, a fact Centre failed to acknowledge as well as appreciate. On the contrary, BJP govt at the centre is denying funds that rightfully belong to states (sic)," he added.

Responding to PM Modi's claim that Indians save Rs 2.5 lakh crore through GST reforms and I-T relief, Stalin said, "This is what opposition has demanded from start. Had the measures come eight years ago, families nationwide would've saved lakh crores more."