Perfect Relations Ltd, which has been chosen for the job on an experimental basis for six months, will be paid Rs 1.50 lakh a month, plus out-of-pocket expenses, according to a resolution of the Information Department.

Says the resolution, ``For the past several years, it has been found that the national media has adopted an approach of giving negative publicity to the state's achievements. Representatives of the national media are prone to giving more importance to certain negative events, than highlighting the state's achievements.''

The resolution goes on to say that because of this negative attitude of the media, people living in India and abroad donot get the real picture of government's ``excellent performance and outstanding achievements in the state.'' Moreover, people living outside the state have little idea about major projects being implemented within.

While the resolution doesn't mince words in describing the mischief of the national media, it is economical in describing the role of the local press, with which the government appears satisfied. Says the resolution, ``The government has been taking a series of extraordinary decisions and implementing various developmental programmes as listed in the manifesto. All this is being conveyed to the people of the state through local newspapers, and through advertisements, press handouts and news conferences''.

Minister of State for Information Haren Pandya said ``nothing extraordinary'' should be seen in the government decision to hire Perfect Relations. ``The firm has been engaged only to highlight the state's achievements through the national media'', he said.