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<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Plan body scraps Mallika project </b>
Pioneer News Service | New Delhi
In the face of stiff opposition from the Gujarat Government, the Planning Commission has terminated a Rs 10 crore project allotted to noted dancer Mallika Sarabhai for producing a series of documentaries on social changes and empowerment in Gujarat. The Pioneer had first reported the news in its edition dated July 18.

Planning Commission member secretary Rajeeva Ratna Shah wrote a letter on July 28 to Gujarat Chief Secretary SG Mankad conveying the decision to scrap the project.

"Since doubts have been raised by the honourable Chief Minister about the objectivity of the producer and her ability to be 'factually correct and politically neutral', it is felt that the very purpose of the project will be defeated. Planning Commission cannot support a venture which is not perceived to political and non-partisan," Shah wrote, adding, "In the light of the above, it has been decided to terminate the project forthwith."

The Gujarat Government had communicated its objection in writing to the Planning Commission and expressed fears that the Gujarat-centric serial would be manipulated to project the State in a negative way.
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The choice of Mallika Sarabhai as a producer was also criticised as she is known to be a bitter critic of Chief Minister Narendra Modi. The State Government and some members of the Prasar Bharti Board had told the Plan panel that the objectivity and credibility of any such serial produced by Mallika Sarabhai would always be open to doubt.
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