Thiruvananthapuram (Keralam) [India], June 17 (ANI): The Keralam Cabinet has constituted a sub-committee to formally communicate the UDF-led state government’s ideological stance regarding the Central Government’s PM SHRI (Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India) scheme to the Centre, said Chief Minsiter VD Satheesan on Wednesday.
Following a cabinet meeting, Satheesan said that while the state is participating in the scheme, there are significant ideological reservations about the Centre’s control over the school’s curriculum.
“The government’s ideological objection to the scheme is that the Central Government should not interfere with curriculum freedom. The state government should have the authority to select the schools where the scheme is to be implemented. To prepare and communicate the UDF government’s ideological position on the PM SHRI scheme to the Centre, the Cabinet has constituted a sub-committee,” he stated.
“Keralam General Education Minister N Shamsudheen will serve as the convenor, joined by state ministers Roji M John, PC Vishnunath, and M Liju as members. “The committee will submit its report”, said the CM.
Providing details on the status of the funds, Satheesan noted that the state has already received over 99 crore rupees from the Centre, including previously withheld amounts, with an additional 106 crore rupees recently sanctioned.
“The PM SHRI scheme was discussed in detail at today’s Cabinet meeting. The previous government had signed on to the PM SHRI scheme, and the Keralam government is now a participant in it. More than 99 crore rupees has already been received from the Centre under the scheme, including funds that had previously been withheld,” he said.
PM SHRI School is a centrally sponsored scheme by the Government of India. This initiative is intended to develop more than 14500 PM SHRI Schools managed by the Central Government/State/UT Government/local bodies including KVS and NVS in which every student feels welcomed and cared for.
CM Satheesan also said that an important administrative reform to appoint an Integrated Financial Advisor in every department was also decided during the cabinet meeting to reduce the delays in government procedures and schemes.
“When we examined the matter, we found that a large number of files are being sent to the Finance Department. Many of these are files that need not be sent there at all. A considerable number of them have to be returned. This is causing delays in government procedures, schemes, and the implementation of decisions. Therefore, following the model established by the Central Government in 1974, it has been decided to appoint an Integrated Financial Advisor in all departments. This will ensure that financial matters are scrutinised at the departmental level itself. The Integrated Financial Advisor in each department will be an officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary,” he said. (ANI)
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