Kerala to continue in PM Shri scheme; sub-committee to fix stand

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister V D Satheesan said the state government has decided to continue its participation with the PM Shri scheme. A cabinet sub-committee of four ministers has been formed to look into the PM Shri scheme. He also clarified that the final decision will be taken after the report is submitted by the sub-committee. He said the state should have the freedom to select the schools where the scheme will be implemented.

The Left government had not written to the center to cancel the project. The Left government had received more than Rs 92 crore in connection with the project. In addition, Rs 106 crore has been allocated, and therefore, the government has been forced to go ahead with the project, said the chief minister. He added that efforts are being made to continue the project without violating the rights of the state and will move with non-BJP states on PM Shri.

The state government will take further action on the project after examining the report of the four-member sub-committee. Ministers N Shamsudeen, Roji M John, P C Vishnunath and M Liju are the members of the sub-committee. The education minister had already submitted a report on the present status of the project to the chief minister.
The education minister's report states that the action taken by the previous government to freeze contracts related to PM Shri has no legal validity.

It is in this context the government decided to appoint a new sub-committee to examine the matter in detail. Meantime, the chief minister clarified that the first 100-day action plan will be implemented from July 1 and will move forward by ensuring complete freedom in the curriculum.