The UDF government wants to implement the 'PM Shri' scheme.

Thiruvananthapuram, Senior Marxist Communist Party (CPI(M)) leader and former General Education Minister V. Sivankutty on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Kerala government, accusing it of spreading misinformation regarding the Centre’s ‘PM SHRI’ scheme.

STORY | UDF govt attempting to implement PM SHRI scheme, alleges CPI(M) leader Sivankutty

Senior CPI(M) leader and former General Education Minister V Sivankutty on Monday hit out at the Kerala government for spreading “misinformation” regarding the Centre’s PM SHRI scheme and…

Sivankutty alleged that the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) is trying to implement this project, even though it had previously opposed it. In a Facebook post, Sivankutty said that when the Left was in power, the state did not receive any funds under the PM SHRI (Prime Minister’s Schools for Rising India) scheme, because its implementation in Kerala had never begun.

Agreement, funds, and accusations against the previous government

Sivankutty stated, “The state General Education Minister’s claim that Kerala has received funds under the ‘PM SHRI’ scheme is a blatant lie. Kerala has neither started this scheme nor received a single rupee for it.” Sivankutty’s response came a few days after the current General Education Minister N. Shamsuddeen’s statement that the current government is continuing the work of the previous government, which had signed an agreement with the Centre and received funds under the scheme. Shamsuddeen, an IUML leader in the ruling coalition, said, “The previous government signed the agreement and accepted the funds. Therefore, we will examine the report before making a final decision.”

Explaining the process of implementing the scheme, Sivankutty said it involves signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), identifying eligible schools through a designated portal, and submitting a list of selected schools to the Union Education Ministry for approval before receiving funds. According to him, the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government signed the MoU at a time when the Centre allegedly linked the release of funds under the Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK) program to participation in PM SHRI.

Clarification on the financial dispute over Rs 92.41 crore

Sivankutty said that although the state government later decided to suspend the agreement, it did so upon learning that the scheme could be used to implement provisions of the National Education Policy (NEP), which the LDF had opposed. He stated, “The state had formally informed the Centre that the ‘PM SHRI’ agreement had been halted. That is why no further steps were taken.” Sivankutty also claimed that the Rs 92.41 crore released for ‘Samagra Shiksha Kerala’ was not ‘PM SHRI’ funds, but rather an amount adjusted by the Centre from reimbursement dues payable under the Right to Education Act.

Accusing the UDF of adopting a contradictory stance, the CPI(M) leader said the Congress-led coalition had opposed the scheme (PM SHRI) while in opposition, but is now trying to implement it. He alleged, “The UDF government is trying to move forward with ‘PM SHRI’ by distorting facts. It is becoming clear that the state government has surrendered to the agenda of the Sangh Parivar.”

Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, India, is known for its rich history as a prominent center of the Travancore kingdom. The city’s name means “City of the Sacred Serpent,” referencing the Anantha

Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, India, is a historic cultural hub known for its iconic Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, a grand 16th-century shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The city served as the capital of the princely state of Travancore from 1745 until India’s independence, leaving a rich legacy of colonial-era architecture and royal palaces. Today, it blends this heritage with modern urban life, featuring museums, art galleries, and nearby pristine beaches.