PM SHRI row: MV Govindan admits ‘lapse’ in skipping cabinet, LDF discussion before signing MoU

Thiruvananthapuram: CPM state secretary MV Govindan on Sunday acknowledged that there had been a “lapse” in not discussing the PM SHRI scheme in the state Cabinet or within the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) before signing the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Centre.

The LDF government recently decided to freeze the MoU signed under the Prime Minister’s Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme after strong criticism from CPI.

“Only one thing we admit—it is true that the Cabinet and the LDF did not discuss it and take a decision. It was a lapse. I have admitted it,” Govindan told reporters.

He said that he, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and the party’s national leadership intervened to resolve the controversy.

“I have been saying from the beginning that the LDF will discuss all matters, take a decision, and move forward together. That has now proved true,” he said.

Govindan said the CPI(M) secretariat and state committee had convened earlier in the day. “All preparations for the upcoming elections are complete. The LDF will make gains in all civic bodies in the upcoming polls,” he added.

Responding to criticism from Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan, who termed the state government’s claim of eliminating extreme poverty “bogus,” Govindan struck back.

He said efforts to identify people living in extreme poverty began in 2021 when he was the Minister for Local Self-Governments.

“There are several civic bodies in Kerala governed by opposition parties. Can he say that those local bodies are making fake claims?” he asked.

He urged Satheesan to travel across Kerala to identify individuals still living in extreme poverty.

“If they find anyone, we will include them in our programme and work to improve their situation,” he said.