Kerala to give representation to Modi over SSK funds denial: Minister

The Kerala government will submit a representation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing its concerns over withholding of Union government funds under the Centrally-sponsored Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan scheme, Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty has said.

At a press conference here on Monday (September 8, 2025), the Minister said the Prime Minister’s appointment will also be sought to discuss the issue.

The Union government should have released ₹1,148 crore, including arrears, to the State under the scheme. However, it was being denied funds even as Uttar Pradesh was sanctioned ₹4,487 crore, Gujarat ₹847 crore, and Jharkhand ₹1,073 crore. This was against federal principles. Such a discriminatory approach was posing huge challenges to the growth of the education sector in the State, the Minister said.

He pointed out that it was the State government that was paying the salary for the 6,800-odd staff of the Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK) in the absence of Central funds. This came to ₹20 crore per month. The State was also bearing the expenses for the students’ uniform, textbooks, and hostels. The State would do everything to secure its rights, Mr. Sivankutty said.