Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty on Friday defended the government's decision to sign the PM SHRI scheme, saying it was a strategic move to secure central funds while safeguarding the state's educational policies, PTI reported.
Addressing a press conference here, Sivankutty said the decision was taken to counter the Centre's attempt to "withhold thousands of crores in funds meant for children."
"This government will not allow any measure that undermines public education or deprives children of their rightful funds. Our children will not lose a single rupee they are entitled to," he said.
He explained that the Centre had withheld funds under the Samagra Shiksha programme because Kerala had not joined PM SHRI (PM Schools for Rising India).
The funds withheld include Rs 188.58 crore for 2023–24, Rs 513.54 crore for 2024–25, and Rs 456.01 crore from previous years, he added.
The cumulative loss amounts to Rs 1,158.13 crore. By signing the PM SHRI scheme now, the state will be able to receive these pending funds along with allocations for the current programme--a total of Rs 1,477.13 crore, of which Rs 971.01 crore has already been approved by the Centre, the minister further said.
Sivankutty said the withholding of funds directly affects nearly 40 lakh students in public schools, including 5.61 lakh SC/ST students and 1.11 lakh differently-abled children who rely on special support, therapy facilities, and assistive devices.
Essential services such as free uniforms, textbooks, allowances for girls, pre-primary education, teacher training, and examination management under the Right to Education Act have also been affected.