Modi machinery perfectly oiled, in place

Work in several department offices in Sachivalaya virtually came to a standstill today for secretaries had left in the morning for the districts under their charge. Most ministers too left for the districts.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS), which owes allegiance to the ruling BJP, handed over a note to the government, seeking certain clarifications on the power tariff hike.

‘‘We will resume talks with the ministerial committee only after the government clarifies certain points raised in the note on this contentious issue and the BKS will continue to stage agitational programmes till its demand for a total withdrawal of the hike is conceded,’’ said a BKS leader.

Though he did not specify what clarifications were sought, sources in the BKS said ‘‘the note contains, among other things, a package deal that could be worked out by the government under which power tariff hike could be linked with the agriculture production cost. The government should evolve a power tariff structure in such a way that it becomes economically viable for farmers.’’

Revenue Minister Kaushik Patel, one of the members on the ministerial committee, confirmed that the panel had received a note from the BKS. He, however, declined to give details.

The committee, after consulting the Chief Minister, will clarify the points raised in the note in two days and invite BKS leaders for the second round of talks, Patel added.