Centre withholds SSA funds from West Bengal over refusal to join PM SHRI scheme, blames state

NEW DELHI: The Centre has withheld West Bengal’s funds for Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) due to the state’s refusal to join the PM SHRI scheme, launched in 2022 to strengthen over 14,500 existing schools. The Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar insisted it was the West Bengal chief minister 'responsible for depriving the youth of the scheme'.

Despite multiple reminders, West Bengal is yet to sign up for the PM SHRI scheme launched as a component of the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan to create inclusive and equitable quality education from pre-school to Class 12. Tamil Nadu and Kerala have also not joined the scheme of the Union government.

A second leg of the budget session in Parliament quickly descended into chaos after the Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan accused the Tamil Nadu MPs of being “uncivilised” before withdrawing his remarks amid fierce argument over the implementation of the PM SHRI scheme.

The ministry of education told the Lok Sabha on Monday that it did not receive any communication from West Bengal despite requesting the state to sign an agreement and implement the PM Shri scheme. The addressed letters were sent on March 13, 2023, October 9, 2023, and March 7, 2024.

“Similarly, letters from the Secretary, DoSE&L dated 15.09.2022, 06.02.2023 & 23.02.2024 have been sent to the Principal Secretary, West Bengal, for the signing of the MoU. However, no communication has been received from the State of West Bengal,” MoS in the ministry of education Jayant Chaudhary told the Lok Sabha.

Last month, Chaudhary told the Parliament that no SSA funds were disbursed to West Bengal, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu under the SSA scheme till January 2025.

Also read Zero Samagra Shiksha funds to Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu: Government

Bengal students 'miss out on benefits of PM SHRI'

He said the PM SHRI scheme “aims to showcase all the components of the National Education Policy 2020 and focuses not only on cognitive development but also creating holistic and well-rounded individuals equipped with key 21st-century skills”.

“The scheme focuses on creating an equitable, inclusive, and joyful learning environment that caters to diverse backgrounds, multilingual needs, and varied academic abilities. These schools are designed to engage students actively in their learning process, ensuring that every child feels welcomed, cared for, and supported in a safe and stimulating environment,” he added.

Highlighting the benefits of the scheme, he said “the students of West Bengal stand to miss out on these benefits of the PM SHRI scheme for not signing the MoU.”

Reacting to the statement, Sukanta Majumdar in an X post wrote: “Shocking Betrayal of Bengal’s Students! Failed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s anti-education, anti-student TMC government is deliberately depriving Bengal’s youth of the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) scheme!”

“Why is Didi blocking modern education, advanced teaching methods & better infrastructure for Bengal’s students? Why this politics of deprivation? Bengal’s youth deserve better! Stop playing with their future!” he said.