No law and order problem in Gujarat:Modi

Mumbai, Jan 24 (UNI) Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today downplayed the recent criticism by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi over the breakdown of law and order situation in the state, saying that she could not be expected to praise him.

''You cannot expect her to praise me. However, she should base her allegations on facts. In Maharashtra, the incidence of farmers suicide is growing. She does not have anything to say on this issue.

No farmer has committed suicide in my state,'' Mr Modi said during a press conference organised by the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) here to promote the state as a business destination.

Replying to a question on the growing crime rate in the diamond hub of Surat, Mr Modi denied that the crime incidence had gone up.

''In fact, if you see the crime records, the crime rate has gone down considerably all over the state. It is unfair to malign the state based on isolated incidents,''he added.

When asked about the state of PSUs in his state and whether he planned disinvestment, Mr Modi said Gujarat was the first state in the country which had a turnaround in the fortunes of loss-making PSUs like Electricity Board and Fertilizer Corportion. ''From Rs 2500 crore accumulated losses, the Electricity Board has made profit of Rs 300 crore,''he added.

On the controversial issue of SEZs and land accquisition, Mr Modi said there was no problem about land accquisition in Gujarat because the 33 SEZs cleared so far were in the salt lands of coastal areas belonging to the government. ''I do not want to comment now if the Centre's SEZ policy is in national interest or pressure,'' he said.

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