Kerala government set to decide on PM SHRI scheme amid Centre pressure

The Congress-led United Democratic Front government in Kerala is preparing to announce its position on the PM SHRI (Prime Minister's Schools for Rising India) scheme as the Centre pushes for an urgent decision, General Education Minister V. Samsudheen has indicated.

The Union government has sent a fresh letter to the state asking it to decide at the earliest, the Minister disclosed recently. The previous communication from the Centre, sent in May, had reminded Kerala that only a limited time was left for the scheme to complete its duration.

Cabinet subcommittee to meet next week

Samsudheen said that after discussions, a decision on the state's position would be taken by the Chief Minister and the UDF leadership, following which the Chief Minister will make the announcement. Against the backdrop of the months-long delay in taking a decision and the communication from the Centre, the Minister's statement signals that a decision will be made sooner than later.

A four-member Cabinet subcommittee formed to study the scheme implementation will likely convene next week to finalise its report and submit it to the government. The committee had originally been given a month to prepare the report.

Muslim Youth League digs in its heels

The Minister's remarks come even as the Muslim Youth League doubles down on its resistance to the PM SHRI scheme. The MYL adopted a resolution a day ago urging the government not to take any steps to implement PM SHRI.

Pressure is mounting on the UDF government to resolve the impasse, with political and financial exigencies at stake.

Financial implications at the centre

Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan had earlier spoken in favour of going ahead with the scheme, highlighting its financial benefits. If not, the state would lose around ₹1,500 crore in Samagra Shiksha funds, besides PM SHRI funds, he had warned.

Since the previous Left Democratic Front government had signed the agreement before putting the scheme implementation in abeyance, the UDF government was being forced to continue with the scheme. There was no provision to withdraw from it, Satheesan had argued.

IUML softens stance

The Indian Union Muslim League, the second-largest UDF constituent, which had earlier stated its opposition to the scheme, too has indicated a softening of its stance by stating it would wait for the Cabinet subcommittee report.

As the government looks to be exploring ways to go ahead with the project, the decision is likely to be based on the argument that the state cannot afford to let Union government funds lapse.

Source: The Hindu