Chouhan feels no need to reply to Uma's ''cheap charges''

Jabalpur, July 18 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today said there was scant need for responding to ''cheap charges'' levelled by Bharatiya Janashakti founder president Uma Bharti against the BJP bigwigs.

''Man behlane ke liye Ghalib ka khyal accha hai','' he quoted the famous line while replying to a media query at the airport here.

Ms Bharti has set the October deadline for toppling the state's BJP regime.

He said conversion law was being amended. Nobody would be targeted but it would be ensured that none were tempted to convert.

''Naxal activities have been checked and that is proven by the fact that only one rebel incident took place over a year in the state's four extremism-affected districts,'' he added.

Claiming that Madhya Pradesh led in implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, the Chief Minister felt that Naxalism could be control led by providing job opportunities in tribal-dominated districts.

''Terrorism will not be allowed to strike roots in this state.

The administration has been directed to maintain a sharp vigil on the banned organisation SIMI's activities. The charge that Madhya Pradesh is a refuge for ultras is wrong. Police have been told to apprehend Bangladeshi and Pakistani citizens overstaying their visa period,'' Mr Chouhan said.

Assuring that his government would implement the 11 missions -- suggested by President A P J Abdul Kalam during his visit yesterday -- to make Madhya Pradesh a developed state before 2015, Mr Chouhan said every scheme would be made to adhere to the world-renowned scientist's development vision.

''An afforestation campaign will be launched on July 25, which is 'Hariyali Amavasya', and about six crore saplings will be planted.

Approximately two lakh water-harvesting structures were constructed under the April 2-June 30 'Jalabhishek Abhiyan','' he said.

Admitting a ''slight'' electricity crisis, the Chief Minister assured that attempts were under way to solve it by setting up power plants.

UNI RG-AC AK DB1842