MP CM seeks clarification from PM

Indore, June 23 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today sought a clarification from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Centre's United Progressive Alliance Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on farmers being paid lower prices and import of expensive wheat.

''The Centre paid minimum support price of Rs 850 last year and imported inferior-quality red wheat at Rs 1,600 per quintal plus transport charges,'' he alleged here while addressing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Kisan Morcha's divisional meeting.

Assuring that the state's BJP regime would amend every rule that was a hurdle to decisions in peasants' interest, Mr Chouhan added that strict action would be taken against officials working against ryots' interest.

''Madhya Pradesh's power quota was slashed. The Centre is not working in a federal spirit and not providing aid for drought-affected areas,'' he said.

Among those present were state Public Works Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya and MP Sumitra Mahajan.

UNI AA-AC PK AS1857