(rptg, correcting lead)

Devlod, MP, Sep 25 (UNI) Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today questioned the need for importing food grain at a time when farmers, trapped in a vicious cycle of indebtedness, were committing suicides in several parts of the country.

''Such import is a grave challenge. In such circumstances, the challenge can be confronted by adopting Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya's philosophy of universal employment and widespread irrigation.

Peasants should be provided relief,'' he said in this village of Shahdol district while inaugurating the Rs 2,964-crore interstate Bansagar Project, constructed on the Son river in Vindhya region with cooperation between this state, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in the funds ratio 2:1:1.

Among those present were Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Commerce and Industry Minister Babulal Gaur, Water Resources Minister Anup Mishra and his Bihar counterpart Ramashray Prasad Singh.

''The Project will accelerate development of all three states.

Development ought not to be restricted to a few states,'' felt Mr Vajpayee.

Pointing out that problems multiplied due to a population explosion, the veteran leader said development was the sole salvation.

''The National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme is a fine endeavour and positive results will emerge when it is implementend honestly,'' he added.

The Project will irrigate 1.54 lakh hectares and generate 425 MW in this state, irrigate 1.50 lakh ha in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh and 94,398 ha in Bihar. Its foundation stone was laid by the then premier Morarji Desai on May 14, 1978. The Project was to be completed in a decade but got delayed due to financial constraints.

UNI AG-AC VD KN1756