Punjab Government Rejoins PM SHRI to Boost School Infrastructure

The Punjab government will implement the PM SHRI scheme, a year after opting out. This centrally-sponsored scheme aims to upgrade schools as model institutes under the National Education Policy, 2020. Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary announced the decision, dismissing any logjam between the state and central government.

The Punjab government has decided to implement the PM SHRI scheme, marking a significant shift after the state's AAP dispensation opted out a year ago. This centrally-sponsored initiative, also known as Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India, aims to transform schools into model institutes embodying the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The development was revealed by Union Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary during a Lok Sabha session, in response to questions from Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal. He dismissed any claims of a logjam between the central government and Punjab over the implementation of the scheme.

“Now the state of Punjab, after repeated requests from the Ministry of Education, has communicated its decision to implement PM SHRI,” Chaudhary stated in a written reply. The state had previously pulled out despite signing an MoU with the Union education ministry in October 2022, consequently halting grants amounting to Rs 550 crore. PM SHRI plans to upgrade 14,500 schools over five years with a budget exceeding Rs 27,000 crore, aiming for a 60:40 Centre-state funding ratio.