PM SHRI scheme to be reviewed, seven-member cabinet sub-committee formed, says Chief Minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that a seven-member cabinet sub-committee has been appointed to review the PM SHRI scheme. He said that the new decision has been taken in the wake of controversies related to PM SHRI in the state. The Chief Minister was speaking to the media after the cabinet meeting held this afternoon.

'The PM SHRI scheme will be frozen until the report of the seven-member sub-committee comes. The matter will be communicated to the Centre through a letter. The committee will consist of General Education Minister V Sivankutty as the chairman, and ministers K Rajan, Roshi Augustine, P Rajeev, P Prasad, K Krishnankutty and A K Saseendran.

"The cabinet meeting has decided to withdraw from the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and conduct a transparent voter list update. The Chief Election Commissioner himself has said that implementing SIR is not practical in the context of local body elections being held in the state. Many concerns have arisen as part of it. It has been decided to convene an all-party meeting to discuss further steps. The decision has been made to convene the all-party meeting on November 5," the Chief Minister said.

"A new scheme will be implemented for women's safety. Economically backward women, including trans women, will receive monthly assistance through the new scheme. It has been decided to provide a monthly women's safety pension of Rs 1,000 to women who are currently not receiving any assistance. Those with an annual income of less than Rs 1 lakh will be given a scholarship of Rs 1,000," the Chief Minister said.