Don't Stop PMAY Funds Over Logo Row, Says Kerala Minister K M Shaji

Kerala Local Self Government Department (LSGD) Minister K M Shaji on Saturday urged that Central funds under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) should not be withheld over the controversy surrounding the display of the scheme's emblem on beneficiary houses, saying welfare should not be affected by branding disputes.

Addressing reporters, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader said there was nothing wrong with displaying the PMAY emblem if it was part of the centrally sponsored housing scheme.

"There is no need to stop Central government funds merely because an emblem has to be displayed on the houses. Our responsibility is to ensure that people receive the benefits meant for them," Shaji said.

He stressed that the state government did not want an "unhealthy" confrontation with the Centre and would follow the policy outlined by Chief Minister V D Satheesan . Shaji added that welfare schemes should not be viewed as belonging to any political party, citing the Indira Awaas Yojana as an example of similar branding during the Congress-led UPA government.

However, he distinguished the PM SHRI school scheme , saying it involved ideological issues and had therefore been referred to a ministerial sub-committee for examination.

Shaji's remarks drew criticism from the Students Federation of India (SFI) . State president M Shivaprasad accused the IUML leader of compromising minority politics for power and said the previous Left government had opposed displaying special logos on houses built under government housing schemes, arguing that a house represents a person's dignity.