Centre committed to development of Assam: PM

New Delhi, Jun 9 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today assured a delegation from Assam that the Centre was committed to ensuring the development of the Northeastern state in a peaceful environment.

Assam had received the ''highest ever'' allocation of Central funds in the past four years, while his government was serious about implementing the Rajiv Gandhi Peace Accord, Dr Singh told the delegation comprising leaders of All Assam Students Union (AASU) and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP). He also met former Chief Minister Prafulla Mahanta and Ms Jayashree Mahanta.

The Prime Minister said the UPA government was giving special attention to Assam's needs under various programmes including National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme, National Rural Health Mission, National Urban Renewal Mission and Backward Regions Grant Fund.

Assam had also received special support in the sphere of education, infrastructure development and industrial development.

The Prime Minister stated that the Central Government was taking steps to stop cross border infiltration and illegal migration. The Prime Minister reiterated his personal commitment to the economic and social development of the State and to peace and security for all its people.

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