Stripping Petroleum portfolio not with US pressure

Jalandhar, Apr 26 : Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Mani Shankar Aiyar today denied speculation that he had lost the petroleum portfolio in the wake of pressure from the United States.

Talking to reporters at the Manko village about 25 km from here Mr Aiyar said, ''This is totally baseless and unfounded as there was no such pressure from the US in the wake of India-Iran gas pipeline.'' ''Moreover, my successor in the Petroleum Ministry has accorded equal priority and importance to the gas pipeline project and the Prime Minister has also endorsed his performance in the Petroleum Ministry and on the above project,'' Mr Aiyar added.

He also expressed his displeasure over 'gross reporting' by media and said that scribes should be more factual and positive in their reporting.

Mr Aiyar was in the village to take stock of the activities of gram Panchayats. He interacted with villagers and school children and inquired about the implementation of various panchayat run welfare programmes and functioning of panchyats.

UNI