MP Minister issues notice to Secy

Bhopal, Apr 30 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Minister Akhand Pratap Singh Yadav today sought an immediate clarification from Secretary K P Singh on a circular to collectors for gathering crowds of 25,000 people at each function coinciding with the launch of the 'Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana' in this state.

In a notice to the bureaucrat, the Minister sought to know under whose order the circular was issued. ''I was not provided any information in this regard to this day,'' Mr Yadav said.

The Minister, who is fasting at Chhatarpur district headquarters as part of a statewide agitation against the Centre's ''stepmotherly'' attitude, told UNI on telephone that he learnt of the April 10 circular today -- when a copy was brought before him -- and strict action would be taken against the official if his reply was not satisfactory.

A copy of the notice was released to the local press today.

The Yojana, envisaged on April 26, envisages wheat at Rs 3 per kg and rice at Rs 4.5 per kg to the poor, subject to a maximum monthly limit.

For formal launching, customer awareness camps were organised at various district headquarters on April 27, 28 and 29 and attended by Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled states' chief ministers, ministers and other leaders.

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