CPI to demand cabinet sub-committee meeting to formalise PM SHRI freeze

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPI has expressed strong displeasure over Minister V. Sivankutty’s remark that he would not be responsible if the state fails to receive continued funding under the PM SHRI scheme. Senior CPI leaders suspect that the statement is part of an attempt to portray the party as anti-development.

In response, the CPI will demand that the Cabinet sub-committee convene an urgent meeting to clarify that the decision to write to the Centre seeking to freeze the PM SHRI project was a collective decision of the Left Front.

CPI leaders believe the party should not be singled out, and the sub-committee must meet to formalise the government’s stand. CPI ministers had already told Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan about the issue before the previous Cabinet meeting, and it was based on this discussion that the letter was sent to the Centre.

Soon after, the Education Minister stated that those responsible must be ready to face the consequences if funding is stopped. This comment has deeply dissatisfied the CPI. The sub-committee, chaired by Minister Sivankutty, includes Ministers K. Rajan, Roshy Augustine, P. Rajeev, P. Prasad, K. Krishnankutty, and A.K. Saseendran.

The letter to the Centre was sent without the sub-committee meeting even once.

CPI says its opinions are being ignored
CPI leaders allege that since the second Pinarayi Vijayan government came to power, their views have not been considered. Their demand for strict action against ADGP Ajith Kumar in the Thrissur Pooram incident was rejected. They claim key decisions- such as approving a brewery in Palakkad and allowing private universities- were taken without proper discussion in the Left Front, sidelining the CPI’s stand