New PR policy to be implemented in MP

Ratlam, MP, Jun 19 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today said the state's new public relations policy would be implemented by next month and envisaged several facilities for members of the Fourth Estate.

''The policy is almost ready and was drafted after deliberation with journalists' organisations,'' he told mediapersons at the circuit house here.

Due to inclement weather in Barwani, Bharatiya Janata Party President Rajnath Singh and Mr Chouhan's programme was suddenly changed. As a result, the Chief Minister reached Ratlam ahead of schedule.

''The Centre's United Progressive Alliance regime discriminated against this state and did not provide a single paisa for drought relief. There are 62 lakh families living Below Poverty Line in Madhya Pradesh but the Centre is providing facilities to only 42 lakh,'' Mr Chouhan said.

Alleging large-scale discrimination in the Above Poverty Line wheat quota, he added that states such as Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu were being provided three lakh tonnes wheat while this state was given only 11,000 tonnes.

''The coal and power quotas were reduced. Union (Power) Minister (Sushil Kumar) Shinde admitted the reduction in a letter that claims Madhya Pradesh's power situation was good,'' the Chief Minister said.

Pointing out that the state government was the largest consumer of fuel, he added that the hike in fuel prices was placing an additional burden of Rs 2,000 crore on the exchequer and had enhanced cost of ongoing development work.

''Despite all this, the state regime is reducing prices of diesel and liquified petroleum gas. My decision to use a bicycle once a week is to bring about public awareness for saving fuel as 80 per cent is imported. The Bharatiya Janata Party will contest the assembly polls on the development issue,'' Mr Chouhan added.

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