Kerala cannot withdraw from PM SHRI scheme; state may lose Rs 2,000 crore, says minister N Shamsudheen

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: General Education Minister N. Shamsudheen on Monday said that Kerala cannot withdraw from the PM SHRI scheme. He added that only the central government has the authority to decide on exiting the agreement. Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, the minister said that if the state government withdraws from the scheme, Kerala could lose around Rs 2,000 crore in various forms of funding.

Shamsudheen was responding to a question raised by MLA Praveen Kumar during the question hour. He said that under the PM SHRI scheme, 304 schools across 152 blocks in Kerala would receive Rs 1 crore each for three years. The state is expected to receive around Rs 900 crore as part of the project.

"If Kerala withdraws from the scheme, it would not only lose this amount but could also face the possibility of other central funds being withheld. The previous LDF government was also compelled to sign the agreement considering the financial benefits expected from the scheme," the minister said.

The minister also said that there was no information available about any discussions or consultations held by the previous government regarding the PM SHRI scheme.

"The LDF government had formed a committee of secretaries to examine the matter. Official records show that the committee held meetings and advised that the state could sign the agreement," Shamsudheen added.