'What prompted this U-turn?' Vijayan questions UDF on PM SHRI
Thiruvananthapuram: Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday accused the Congress-led UDF government of making a complete ‘U-turn’ on the Centre's PM SHRI school scheme, questioning what had prompted the change in its position after assuming office.
Addressing a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram, the former Chief Minister said the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government was not willing to implement the scheme to safeguard Kerala's education system from changes linked to the Centre's policy.
Questions UDF's changed position
Vijayan said the UDF had strongly opposed the PM SHRI scheme while it was in the Opposition and had accused the LDF of entering into a 'deal' with the BJP by signing the memorandum of understanding (MoU).
'At that time, they claimed it was part of an LDF-BJP deal. Now, what deal is this a part of?' Vijayan asked.
He also recalled that some UDF leaders had even suggested that the scheme should be 'thrown into the Arabian Sea'. However, after coming to power, both the Chief Minister and the General Education Minister have begun defending its implementation, he alleged.
Criticises IUML's stand
The CPM leader also accused the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a key ally in the ruling UDF, of changing its position on the issue overnight.
According to Vijayan, the LDF government had signed the MoU with the Centre but later suspended its implementation as a matter of policy. He said the then General Education Minister had formally informed the Union government of the state's decision, and no further steps were taken to roll out the scheme.
Cites Centre's clarification
Referring to a reply given in Parliament to a question raised by a UDF MP, Vijayan said the Centre had clarified that states are free to withdraw from the PM SHRI scheme, with the only consequence being the loss of associated benefits.
'This clearly shows there is no legal hurdle in withdrawing from the scheme,' he said.
Vijayan alleged that the Centre was using the PM SHRI scheme to introduce a 'saffron agenda' into the education sector and accused the UDF government of now supporting that agenda despite its earlier opposition.
PM SHRI row background
The PM SHRI (PM Schools for Rising India) scheme was launched by the Centre to upgrade selected government schools into model institutions.
The previous LDF government initially signed an MoU to implement the scheme but later put its rollout on hold following opposition from the then UDF and sections within the LDF, including the CPI.
After coming to power, the UDF government led by Chief Minister V D Satheesan has constituted a Cabinet sub-committee to examine the implementation of the scheme. The government has said its future course of action will be decided after the committee submits its report.