Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: The UDF government in Kerala has decided to move ahead with the PM SHRI scheme, maintaining that it cannot withdraw from the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Centre, Adoor Prakash told reporters on Thursday. 

According to reports, the state government will decide which educational institutions will be brought under the scheme and will proceed with the process of securing central funding.

Meanwhile, former Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty criticised the government's decision. Pointing out that the previous government had not gone ahead with the PM SHRI scheme, Sivankutty said accepting the programme would require the state to implement all academic directives issued by the Centre.

The PM SHRI (PM Schools for Rising India) scheme, a centrally sponsored initiative under the National Education Policy (NEP) aimed at transforming more than 14,500 existing schools into model institutions across the country, faced strong opposition in Kerala. Both the Congress and the CPM had opposed the scheme, alleging that it could be used as a tool for the "saffronisation" of education.

Speaking to reporters after the UDF meeting, Adoor Prakash outlined the decisions taken by the front on other matters as well.

He said the UDF will appoint a subcommittee to formulate its liquor policy, following which its recommendations will be submitted to the state government. The government will then take appropriate action based on those recommendations, he added.

Adoor Prakash said the consultations are expected to be completed within the next few days.

He also urged those holding positions in boards and corporations that continue to be headed by the LDF to voluntarily resign from their posts.