PM Modi meets Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal to discuss state's financial condition

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on 11 June to reportedly to discuss ways to combat Assam's "precarious" financial condition.

During the 20-minute meeting, the Chief Minister briefed PM Modi on various development initiatives undertaken by the new BJP-led government in Assam.

"I have informed the Prime Minister about the precarious financial condition of Assam and sought the central government's help to salvage the situation," Sonowal told reporters after the meeting.

The Chief Minister also gave PM Modi a 'white paper' on the financial condition of the state, which is facing a fund crunch. Sonowal also met Finance Minister Arun Jaitely and sought financial assistance from the Centre to overcome the crisis in Assam.

Earlier, the Chief Minister called on Vice-President Hamid Ansari, who is also the Chairman of Rajya Sabha, and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.

Sources described the last two meetings as "courtesy call" by the new Chief Minister, who took charge on 24 May.

Before moving to the state, Sonowal was the Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs and a Lok Sabha member.

--PTI