The Education Ministry has initiated the process to release over Rs 500 crore to Punjab following the state’s agreement to implement the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM Shri) scheme.
Confirming the development, State Education Secretary KK Yadav stated, “Our team that visited the Education Ministry office has been assured about an immediate release of the amount.”
Punjab had previously opted out of the project despite having confirmed its participation by signing a memorandum of understanding with the Union Education Ministry. Recently, the state government wrote to the Centre, expressing its willingness to work on the project under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. This move was necessitated as the lack of participation impacted “everything, from books, construction of new buildings, and classrooms.”
The PM Shri scheme aims to upgrade government schools into “exemplar” institutions where the National Education Policy, 2020, would be showcased.
