Kerala govt signed an MoU with Centre. Junior partner CPI now says it wasn’t consulted

Over the last three years, the CPI(M) has remained resolute in opposing the implementation of the PM SHRI project of the Union Government, arguing that it was part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which the party saw as a tool for “saffronisation of education” in the country. The Centre had, meanwhile, withheld the release of around Rs 1,400 crore to Kerala’s general education department. The scheme is meant to upgrade thousands of existing schools into model institutions.

The cash-strapped government eventually decided to ink the deal, with CPI(M) leader and general education minister V Sivankutty on Sunday stating that the state is in dire need of funds to pay teacher salaries and meet students’ grants. The general education department secretary, K Vasuki, signed the MoU with the Union Ministry of General Education.

Realising that the CPI(M) had greenlit the MoU, CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam said on Friday, “This is not the way the LDF should have taken (the decision). The party will debate the issue.”

CPI leader and minister G R Anil said, “It is not a matter of the CPI’s approach. It is the Left’s stand that we are opposed to NEP. The issue had come up before the state cabinet, but no decision was taken. Let the education minister make public the reasons Kerala signed the MoU. We should have been convinced. The MoU is not the last signature. All departments in Kerala are facing a financial crisis. But that should not be a reason for signing the MoU.”

CPIM central committee member and convener of LDF, T P Ramakrishnan, however, reiterated the government’s stand: “The LDF will discuss the issue and take a stand. The MoU was signed by officials. We have to examine the conditions. The CPI has expressed its opinion. Our stand is that Kerala should get its due share of funds from the Centre.”