Green Signal for PM SHRI Scheme by UDF Govt; ABVP Leaders Visit General Education Minister N Shamsuddeen

Thiruvananthapuram: A delegation of ABVP leaders led by state secretary Yadukrishnan met General Education Minister N Shamsuddin at his office, demanding that the government proceed with the implementation of the PM SHRI scheme. State executive committee members R Sreehari, S Ashwin, B S Abhinand, and state organisational secretary N C T Sreehari were among those in the delegation.

Meanwhile, UDF leaders, who had repeatedly stated that the PM SHRI scheme would never be implemented, are now facing criticism after allegedly opening the door for cooperation with the Centre on the project.

The leaders who had earlier maintained that they would not collaborate with the PM SHRI initiative have reversed their position and taken a political U-turn. This shift amounts to misleading the public after taking a firm stand against the scheme in the past.

Chief Minister V D Satheesan has defended the government's position by claiming it has no choice but to continue with PM SHRI because the previous LDF government had signed onto the scheme and received funds under it. However, documents establish that what was signed was only a memorandum of understanding, and that the funds received were withheld SSA grants — money Kerala was entitled to regardless — released after the MoU was signed. The LDF government subsequently sent a letter to the Centre freezing the MoU. When asked about this letter, Satheesan denied its existence.