Srinagar, Jun 2 (JKNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Government has refuted reports suggesting inadequate release of Samagra Shiksha funds by the Ministry of Education, asserting that all funds received during 2025-26 were fully utilised and educational activities across the Union Territory continued without any disruption.
SED rebutted the news item titled “MoE released only 20% Samagra grants to SED” published in Greater Kashmir dated 30th May, 2026.
The Department, in an official communique, as per news agency JKNS, has clarified that the report presents only a partial picture of the financial position under Samagra Shiksha in J&K and may create an impression that educational activities in the Union Territory have been adversely affected due to non-release of funds. The factual position, however, needs to be viewed in a broader financial and administrative context.
The Department stated that the Project Approval Board (PAB) approves Rs. 1593.60 Cr (fresh) under the Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWP&B) 2025-26, which only sets the ceiling or outlay for implementation of activities during the year. The PAB approval is not equivalent to immediate fund release.
As per Government of India norms, the Ministry of Education releases funds in phased instalments based on utilisation certificates, expenditure pattern, available balances and compliance. During 2025-26, the MoE, GoI released Rs. 1102.00 crore to J&K under Samagra Shiksha. The released funds have been utilised in full with 100% achievement of targets. Therefore, comparing the total approved outlay with the first instalment released during the year does not reflect the complete financial position.
Highlighting the UT’s performance, the Department said that Jammu and Kashmir has consistently implemented major interventions under Samagra Shiksha, including PM SHRI Schools, Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, ICT and Smart Classrooms, Inclusive Education, Girls’ Education, Vocational Education and Civil Works and Infrastructure Development.
The Ministry of Education has acknowledged the progress achieved by J&K during recent review meetings and during the visit of the Secretary, Government of India, Department of School Education & Literacy to J&K UT. The PAB has also appreciated the academic improvements and implementation progress in the Union Territory.
The Department further underlined that J&K has demonstrated strong utilisation capacity. The Ministry has specifically appreciated the UT’s academic improvements and implementation efficiency, which establishes that the School Education Department possesses the capacity to utilise funds effectively whenever releases are made. As an example, under PM SHRI Schools, J&K utilised approximately Rs. 194.53 crore out of Rs. 200.11 crore available funds, demonstrating strong financial and physical progress, in addition to other key components and interventions.
The Department told that the inference drawn in the news report, based on a percentage comparison of a single instalment against the total PAB approval, does not present the complete picture. Fund releases under Samagra Shiksha are governed by a structured, norms-based mechanism linked to utilisation and compliance. The J&K UT has fully utilised the funds released so far and has met 100% of its targets while the educational activities across the Union Territory have continued without disruption.
The School Education Department reiterated its commitment to the effective implementation of all components under Samagra Shiksha as per the approved plan with full financial prudence and efficiency. It clarified that the progress of educational initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir has not been hampered due to any funding constraints. (JKNS)
