Bhubaneswar, Nov 16: Odisha has to grow at a pace above any developed State. While the Narendra Modi Government at the Centre has taken up many pro-people schemes, our State should not lag behind in reaping the benefits of such schemes. This concern has again been reflected in Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's recent letter to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

In his letter, Union Minister Pradhan, for the third time, has urged Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to ask the officers concerned to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Centre for the establishment of schools under the PM SHRI scheme.

The Union Minister mentioned in the letter that The PM SHRI Scheme was launched on September 7, 2022, with the objective of establishing more than 14,500 PM SHRI Schools across the country. All the States/UTs have been requested to sign an MoU with the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India.

The Union Minister also noted that most of the States/UTs have already signed MoU and the first phase of the selection of schools has been completed.

He said the Centre has also released the first installment for the construction of selected PM SHRI Schools.

Pradhan expressed concern that while the second cycle of selection of PM SHRI Schools is in process, the State of Odisha is yet to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with the Centre. Through the letter, the Union Minister Pradhan also apprised the CM that an official communique has been made with the Odisha Government. But I am still to hear from the State of Odisha for the signing of an MoU, the Minister mentioned.

Meanwhile, intellectuals have also expressed concern over the dillydallying attitude being adopted by the Odisha Government. They have opined that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik should rise above political considerations and sign an MoU with the Centre without delay for the establishment of PM Shri Schools in the better interest of Odisha children.

Sources said Odisha will get Rs 1,600 crore for the establishment of 800 PM Shri SChools.

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