PM Narendra Modi noncommittal on continuing Special Category status to NE states: Manik Sarkar

AGARTALA: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar today said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had remained noncommittal during his recent discussion on the demand to continue the Special Category status for North Eastern states.

A resolution for continuing the Special Category status of the eight North Eastern states was taken following discussion with the Chief Ministers of the states concerned and a memorandum in this regard was sent to the Prime Minister on April 23 last, Sarkar said.

"Finally the Prime Minister called me for discussion on the matter on Tuesday last and I attended the meeting after discussion with my counterparts of the region. The Prime Minister told me that share of central taxes has increased by 10 per cent for the states. He told me to discuss the matter with the NITI Ayog," Sarkar told reporteRs here.

He said, "However, he agreed to remain present at the meeting of the North Eastern Council (NEC) and hear from the chief ministeRs of the region, but did not give any assurance regarding our demand."

Expressing his displeasure on the delay in response to the resolution of the NE states regarding the special category states demand, the Chief Minister said, "The Prime Minister talks of co-operational federalism and team India, but how those things will be implemented if the chief ministeRs cannot talk to the Prime Minister?"

"In the meeting, several issues related to financial assistance from the Centre were discussed thoroughly. I told him (PM) that Tripura used to receive around Rs 23,000 crore annually in three different heads - Normal Assistance, Special Plan Assistance and Special Central Assistance, till 2014-15," he said.