PM SHRI: Union Minister’s reply exposes UDF government’s stand as baseless, says Pinarayi Vijayan
Pinarayi Vijayan, Leader of the Opposition in Kerala, has criticized the UDF government for implementing the PM SHRI school scheme, arguing that the state is not legally bound to participate. He accused the government of political hypocrisy and subservience to the Sangh Parivar for reversing its previous stance on the scheme.
Why it matters
The dispute illustrates the ongoing political friction between state-level opposition and ruling parties in India regarding the implementation of central government educational initiatives.
The United Democratic (UDF) government’s claim that Kerala cannot withdraw from the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme once it has signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been exposed as baseless by Union Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary’s July 29 reply in the Rajya Sabha, Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan said on Saturday.
Mr. Vijayan was referring to Mr. Chaudhary’s reply that “States that do not sign the MoU or withdraw from the scheme stand to miss out on these benefits of PM SHRI scheme.” The Union Minister’s reply indicates that legally there is nothing preventing States from withdrawing from the agreement, Mr. Vijayan said.
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