'Cannot back out of PM SHRI scheme'; Chief Minister rejects Deepa Dasmunsi's demand

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has made it clear that Kerala cannot withdraw from the Centre’s PM SHRI scheme. His statement came after AICC general secretary Deepa Dasmunsi called for the state to stay out of the scheme.

Satheesan said the state’s Education Department would not receive central assistance if Kerala did not implement PM SHRI. He said the government had received legal advice that the state could not withdraw from the scheme. However, he made it clear that there would be no compromise on the selection of the curriculum or schools under the project.

The demand for the UDF government not to implement PM SHRI was raised at the Congress political affairs committee meeting. Johnson Abraham made the demand at the meeting, while Rajmohan Unnithan and K.C. Joseph also took a similar stand.

Satheesan said the party’s sentiments would be respected and that further action would be taken after the subcommittee submits its report.

Meanwhile, senior leaders P.J. Kurien, K.C. Joseph and Rajmohan Unnithan called for the appointment of a new president for the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC).