Parliamentary Panel Criticizes Funds Withholding Over NEP Disagreement

The Parliamentary Standing Committee criticized withholding funds from states not implementing the PM SHRI scheme or NEP 2020. They highlighted discrepancies in SSA fund distribution, urging resolution and release of pending funds, emphasizing Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal's educational progress despite financial hurdles.

A parliamentary panel has highlighted concerns regarding the central government's withholding of funds from states that have not adopted the PM SHRI schools scheme or the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. States like Tamil Nadu, which object to NEP's three-language formula, have been notably affected.

Led by Congress' Digvijay Singh, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth, and Sports recommended the Ministry of Education to reassess Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) funding. The committee stressed that no state should be disadvantaged for not accepting NEP 2020 or the PM SHRI scheme.

The report underscored the importance of resolving fund distributive issues to support educational advancement, ensuring states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal are not penalized for their stance, as they continue to exhibit strong educational outcomes despite financial challenges.

(With inputs from agencies.)