Modi to meet northeast CMs to discuss developmental projects

Prime Minister Narendra Modi would meet chief ministers of the eight northeastern states on Wednesday in New Delhi, a top official said here on Tuesday.

"Modi will meet the chief ministers of eight northeastern states, including Sikkim, at 7 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday) to discuss developmental projects for this region," said a top Tripura government official, declining to be named.

The chief ministers earlier wanted to meet Modi collectively to discuss various issues of northeastern states, including continuation of special category status for the region.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar told reporters after meeting with Modi in New Delhi on June 16 that the prime minister "remained silent" on the chief ministers' demand for the special category status.

"The prime minister was also evasive on a joint meeting with all eight chief ministers. However, he agreed to attend the next meeting of North Eastern Council in Delhi," the Tripura chief minister had said.

Apart from the eight northeastern states, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand are clubbed under the special status category.

The prime minister will also chair the second meeting of the governing council of the NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) on Wednesday morning.

Manik Sarkar will attend the NITI Aayog meet, convened to discuss the controversial land acquisition bill and other issues like poverty, health and social sector schemes.