Tripura CM meets Modi, raises special category issue

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar today met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged him to retain Special Category status for all North-Eastern states, emphasising that any cut in central assistance will adversely impact welfare schemes and infrastructure development.

Sarkar conveyed to Modi that the Chief Ministers of all North-Eastern states were apprehensive about any possible cuts in funds to the backward region and sought special attention to the region by the Centre for its overall development.

Chief Ministers of all the eight NE states, irrespective of their political affiliations, had discussed the matter and expressed concern over any move to withdraw the status under which the states have been getting additional funds.

Sarkar, a four-time Chief Minister, also requested Modi help Tripura in improving its infrastructure.

The meeting came days after Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had accused the Centre of ignoring development of the North-Eastern region and said the Tripura Chief Minister had sought an appointment with PM on behalf of the eight chief ministers nearly 45 days ago but was yet to get it.

The issue of ratification of the historic Land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh is understood to have figured in the meeting as certain enclaves in Tripura will be handed over to the neighbouring country.