Kerala govt’s PM SHRI deal may face annulment if CPI moves court

Thiruvananthapuram: A major political and legal dispute has erupted in Kerala after the CPI claimed that its coalition partner, CPM, leading the state government, acted against rules by signing the PM SHRI scheme agreement. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the state’s Public Education Secretary, K Vasuki.

Allegations of rule violation

The CPI argues that the signing of MoU lacks legal foundation and could be challenged in court. The party insists that the Public Education Secretary “is not permitted to sign a matter that the Cabinet has not decided upon” and describes the pact as “not sustainable legally.”

The party is demanding clarity on the instructions K Vasuki followed. It is suspected that either the Chief Minister or the Education Minister may have directed the signing, bypassing mandatory cabinet approval. 

Legal precedent supports CPI’s stance

The CPI is firmly opposed to the PM SHRI scheme and may move the judiciary to annul the agreement. Its claim is backed by the precedent set in Manohar Parrikar versus State of Goa, which establishes that officials cannot sign schemes without cabinet authorisation.

Political implications

The dispute signals a strained relationship between CPI and its ruling ally, the CPM. Given CPI’s strict opposition to the PM SHRI scheme, any effort to placate the party on this sensitive issue will face major challenges.