Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan said the Kerala government is forced to continue with the PM SHRI (Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India) scheme as the previous LDF government signed the agreement and accepted initial funds from the Centre.
Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Satheesan said the current United Democratic Front (UDF) administration is “forced to” proceed with the scheme because the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government had already signed the agreement and accepted funds. However, he emphasized that the Central government must not encroach upon the state’s freedom regarding the educational curriculum.
“It is the previous LDF government which signed the agreement with the Centre to implement the scheme. It also accepted funds in connection with it. “So, we are forced to go ahead with the scheme,” the CM said.
He added that the state received Rs 99 crore for the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme, and the Centre sanctioned Rs 106 crore under it.
He stated that the Centre cannot interfere with a state’s freedom to decide its curriculum and argued that states must have the freedom to select which schools implement the scheme.
Chief Minister Satheesan also said that a four-member cabinet sub-committee has been formed to review the PM SHRI scheme and convey the state’s official position to the Central government.
He said the sub-committee shall comprise Ministers N Samsudheen, Roji M John, P C Vishnunadh and M Liju. The sub-committee will thoroughly review the legal and administrative aspects of the scheme before submitting a comprehensive report, after which the cabinet will finalize its exact terms of engagement.