T.N. govt. releases ₹100 crore to pay Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan staff

The Tamil Nadu government released ₹100 crore from the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan fund to pay salaries of over 30,000 employees, but it does not cover other SSA schemes. The total scheme budget is ₹3,586 crore, with the Union government contributing ₹2,152 crore and the State ₹1,434 crore. The State has not received the first instalment of ₹573 crore from the Centre, causing protests by teachers and staff. They demand their salaries be paid from the State’s fund and urge the Centre to release its share for other schemes to continue. The president of the Teacher Educator Association is glad salaries were disbursed but stresses the importance of the Centre’s contribution. The president of the Part Time Teachers Association warns of continued protests if salaries are withheld in the future.