‘Rejecting PM Shri Scheme When School Roofs Are Leaking Is Foolish’: Shashi Tharoor Criticizes Kerala Govt

Thiruvananthapuram: Congress leader and Member of Parliament, Shashi Tharoor, has launched a strong criticism against the Kerala state government’s decision to reject central assistance for the PM Shri scheme. Speaking at the ‘Kerala Dialogue’ in Dubai, Tharoor asserted that the government’s stance was merely an attempt to prove its ideological purity and termed the rejection of central funds as a “foolish” move.

Tharoor, without explicitly mentioning the PM Shri scheme by name, emphasized that ‘This is our money; it should be accepted,’ thereby implicitly criticizing the state’s decision to forgo the central aid.

The senior Congress leader further stated that the pervasive politicization across all sectors is a significant problem plaguing Kerala. He highlighted the distressing situation where investors in the state are driven to the point of suicide, underscoring the urgent need for robust laws to protect investors’ rights and prevent disruptive hartals (strikes).

Detailing the challenges faced by businesses, Tharoor noted that it takes an average of 236 days to initiate a business in Kerala. He also suggested that approximately 75% of existing government procedures should be abolished to streamline the process. Tharoor offered these insights in response to a question regarding the prospects of the BJP in Kerala.