Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government managed to achieve a significant breakthrough with the signing of the PM SHRI scheme, as the Union government has released the first instalment of funds under the Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK) initiative. Kerala is set to receive ₹92.41 crore through the scheme, out of the ₹109 crore proposed by the state. Of this, ₹17 crore under the non-recurring category remains to be sanctioned. The release of funds comes as a major relief for the state’s education department.

Earlier, the Centre had withheld the SSK funds due to Kerala’s refusal to sign the PM SHRI agreement. Citing this reason, and despite opposition from the CPI, the state government had quietly proceeded to sign the agreement in secrecy. However, following intense political controversy, the government had decided last Wednesday to put further action on the agreement on hold.

Despite this decision, Kerala had not sent any formal communication to the Centre for over a week. This delay, it now appears, has worked to the advantage of the education department. The state has received the first instalment of the Occurrence Fund, which had been pending for release. The Union government has also indicated that the second and third instalments under the scheme will be released soon.

According to central sources, there has been no official communication from Kerala confirming its withdrawal from the PM SHRI scheme, apart from reports in the media.

Education Minister V. Sivankutty told reporters earlier today that the government had sought legal advice from the Advocate General regarding the matter and that the Education Secretary would soon send a formal letter to the Centre. Coincidentally, by the evening, the first instalment of funds under the PM SHRI scheme had been credited to the state’s account.