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CPI Protests Kerala Government’s Move to Join PM Shri Scheme, Calls It a Violation of Coalition Discipline
PM SHRI Schools: Conflict has erupted within Kerala's ruling LDF coalition, with the CPI protesting against the CPI(M) over the state government's decision to join the PM SHRI School Scheme. The CPI claims that it and other LDF parties were not informed of this decision, calling it a violation of coalition rules. The CPI(M) stated that accepting funds is fine, but the strict conditions of the scheme will not be accepted.
Political unrest has broken out in Kerala's ruling coalition, the LDF. Its main ally, the Communist Party of India (CPI), protested on Friday against the state government's move to join the Prime Minister's Schools for Rising India (PM Shri) scheme.
CPI State General Secretary Binoy Viswam asserted that the party and other LDF partners were kept in the dark about this decision entirely, terming it a breach of the collective discipline of the coalition. He clarified that the scheme had not even been placed before the cabinet, but the pact was signed in a hasty manner. He asked why and why so hastily.
The CPI cautioned that this action could open the door for the adoption of the National Education Policy (NEP) that the LDF has been opposing all along. There is also dissatisfaction within the party regarding the boarding and labeling of PM SRI schools.
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Meanwhile, Kerala Education Minister V. Sivankutty defended the government's decision. He stated that this move was strategic to secure central funds for the state. He pointed out that the central government had withheld thousands of crores of rupees for state schools. The minister said that this move would benefit approximately 40 lakh government school children, including 5.61 lakh SC/ST and 1.11 lakh special needs children. The total funding amount is ₹1,477.13 crore, of which ₹971.01 crore has already been approved by the central government.
Sivankutty also clarified that joining the PM SRI scheme does not mean that Kerala has accepted the NEP. This was done only for technical reasons. The state is completely independent in its curriculum policy, which includes important historical topics.
The CPI(M) also clarified that the state government has agreed to receive funds, but has not fully accepted the scheme's conditions. CPI(M) State General Secretary M.V. Govindan said that the Center has never imposed so many conditions before and this is unacceptable to the state. The opposition Congress questioned the issue, calling it a deep rift within the LDF. Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly V.D. Satheesan said that the CPI must decide whether to endure this humiliation and shame.
