CM Joseph Vijay Demands Rs 3,284 Crore Education Funds at First NITI Aayog Meeting

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay urged the Union government to release Rs 3,284 crore in pending Samagra Shiksha funds without conditions during his maiden address at the NITI Aayog meeting on Thursday.

Speaking at the 11th Governing Council meeting of the policy think tank, Vijay balanced cooperation with confrontation by raising critical regional issues, including Tamil Nadu's demand for exemption from the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).

During the high-level meeting, Chief Minister Vijay assured the Centre of constructive cooperation from his state government. However, he strongly flagged several key grievances. In addition to the release of the education funds and the NEET exemption, Vijay urged the central government to take immediate steps to secure the release of Tamil Nadu fishermen currently detained in Sri Lanka.

He also called for enhanced financial support to implement permanent flood mitigation measures in the state. Furthermore, Vijay proposed that the Thirukkural, an ancient treatise reflecting the secular values of modern India, be officially declared a national literature.

Following the Governing Council session, the Chief Minister met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to personally underline Tamil Nadu's key priorities, with a particular focus on the pending education funds. This marked Vijay's second meeting with Prime Minister Modi since he assumed office as Chief Minister on May 10, 2026.

Taking part in the NITI Aayog meeting for the first time since his election, Vijay noted that the people of Tamil Nadu had given his TVK party a historic mandate to form the state government. He stated that this verdict was built on core principles of transparent governance, social justice, inclusive growth, youth empowerment, and balanced development.

Despite global economic uncertainties, Vijay highlighted that Tamil Nadu remains India's second-largest economy, demonstrating resilience and sustained growth. He reaffirmed the state's active goal of becoming a 1.5 trillion dollar economy by the year 2036, supported by a robust economic framework and a productive workforce.