Kerala Cabinet forms subcommittee to study PM SHRI implementation; CM says ‘forced to’ continue with scheme

The Kerala Cabinet has decided to form a Cabinet subcommittee to study the matters related to the implementation of the PM SHRI (Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India) scheme of the Union government, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan told the media in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday (June 17, 2026) following the Cabinet meeting.

He said the State government was “forced to” continue with the controversial project as the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government had “already entered into an agreement” and “received money” from the Union government.

After the LDF government had inked the agreement in October last year, the Union government sanctioned the long held-up Samagra Shiksha funds to the tune of ₹92.41 crore due to the State for the 2025-26 year. However, faced with Opposition from alliance partner Communist Party of India (CPI), the LDF government decided to put the agreement on hold, a decision which was communicated to the Union government in a letter dated November 12, 2025.

Implementation on condition

Mr. Satheesan said the implementation of the project will be on the condition that the Union government will not intervene in the curriculum framework and that the State government will have the freedom to choose the schools in which it will be implemented.

The subcommittee, which will prepare the communication to be forwarded to the Union government, will have General Education Minister N. Samsudheen as the convener and will consist of Higher Education Minister Roji M. John, Tourism Minister P.C. Vishnunadh, and Excise Minister M. Liju as members.

Mr. Satheesan said the government will hold discussions with other non-BJP States which have already implemented the PM SHRI scheme and take a collective decision on protecting the rights of the States.

On being asked whether the UDF has now taken a position contrary to its earlier opposition to the project, Mr. Satheesan said it had opposed the LDF government’s “act of signing it without informing the Cabinet.” He said the State is badly in need of the ₹1,100 crore being held up by the Centre. He claimed that the previous government had sent no letters to the Centre regarding withdrawal from the scheme.

Mr. Satheesan, however, refused to take more questions regarding the change in stance of the Congress-led UDF regarding the scheme.

Sivankutty cites reason

Former General Education Minister V. Sivankutty said that the previous LDF-led State government had signed the PM SHRI MoU after the Union government denied its rightful share of Samagra Shiksha funds.

“Despite discussions with the Union Education Minister, they were not ready to provide funds for Samagra Shiksha Kerala. The State government itself provided funds for the salaries of the employees of the Samagra Shiksha scheme during the period from 2023-24 to 2025-26. It was only when such a severe financial crisis arose that the government decided to sign a Memorandum of Understanding for the time being to receive funds but without taking any step to implement the PM SHRI Scheme. The Chief Minister is hiding the fact that the previous government has stopped the implementation of the scheme,” he said.

Mr. Sivankutty said that despite reminders from the Union government to initiate the steps for PM SHRI, the LDF government did not do so. The SSK funds received have no connection with PM SHRI funds as is being claimed by Mr. Satheesan, he said.