Kerala plans legal action after Centre blocks Rs 1500 crore over PM Shri issue
The Kerala government on Tuesday announced it will pursue a legal course, along with protests on ground, to recover over Rs 1,500 crore allegedly withheld by the Centre. The funds, linked to centrally sponsored schemes, have reportedly been held back after Kerala refused to sign the PM SHRI scheme memorandum.The PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme is a central initiative to upgrade select schools across India. According to the state government, Kerala's refusal to sign the MoU tied to the scheme is at the heart of the fund freeze.advertisementGeneral Education Minister V Sivankutty accused the Centre of discrimination and said Kerala would join hands with Tamil Nadu to secure their 'rightful share'.
'I have already spoken to the Tamil Nadu Education Minister twice and will be meeting him next week,' he told PTI Videos.Sivankutty cited a Supreme Court ruling in a case filed by Tamil Nadu that clarified states are under no obligation to implement the National Education Policy. He said this judgment strengthens Kerala's case to approach the apex court.'I had personally discussed the issue with the Union Education Minister on two occasions and have also written to the Centre requesting the release of funds owed to the state,' Sivankutty said. 'They have even blocked our Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK) funds on the same grounds.'The Minister said the Centre has not responded positively, leaving Kerala with 'no choice' but to move court and launch protests. He urged the Union government to treat Kerala fairly and release the dues, calling the state 'an integral and significant part of the country.'advertisementThis comes two months after Tamil Nadu's Education Minister, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, accused the Centre of using the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan funds as a tool to blackmail the state into joining the PM SHRI scheme.'Suddenly, they are asking us to sign the PM SHRI agreement just when we were about to receive the funds in 2023. This is a kind of blackmail. If we accept PM SHRI, it is like accepting the NEP and the three-language policy,' Mahesh stated.
IN THIS STORY#Kerala#Tamil Nadu
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