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The Kerala government has indicated it will not withdraw from the Centre’s PM SHRI scheme
June 17, 2026: The Kerala government on Wednesday indicated that it will continue with the Centre’s Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme while seeking certain conditions to protect the state’s autonomy. Chief Minister V D Satheesan said the government would push for the freedom to decide the curriculum and choose the schools where the scheme is implemented. He noted that discussions with chief ministers of several non-BJP ruled states showed that they too had accepted the scheme.
Satheesan said the state was compelled to continue because the previous LDF government had already signed an agreement with the Centre and received around ₹99 crore under the initiative, while an additional ₹106 crore had also been sanctioned. He argued that withdrawing at this stage would be difficult and stressed that Kerala was also awaiting substantial funds due from the Centre. To examine all aspects of the scheme, the Cabinet has constituted a four-member sub-committee that will study its legal, administrative and educational implications.
The Chief Minister said the committee would submit recommendations before the state formally places its conditions before the Centre. He also announced the formation of another Cabinet sub-committee to modernise public procurement procedures. According to Satheesan, the current procurement manual is outdated and needs to be aligned with modern systems such as e-procurement, ensuring faster, more transparent and scientific processes across government departments.