Prime Minister Narendra Modi today hit out at the Congress government in Assam, accusing it of pushing the state into underdevelopment and backwardness. Addressing a 'Yuva Mahashakti Samaroh' organized by the BJP in Guwahati, Mr Modi said Assam is lagging behind in development due to the injustice done to the state by the Congress, which has been in power in the state for most of the time. <br/><br/>He questioned what Dr Manmohan Singh, who represented Assam in Rajya Sabha, did for the state as Prime Minister for 10 years. The Prime Minister said north eastern region is a treasure trove of natural resources, unmatched by any party in the country. He added with its huge raw materials, there is a large potential for development and we promise to tap it.<br/> <br/><br/>He mentioned of the NE-specific 'Act East' Policy for the region, under which connectivity and infrastructure were receiving a major boost. Besides the Prime Minister, Union minister Dr Jitendra Singh and Sarbananda Sonowal and BJP's youth wing's national president Anurag Goel, among others, were also present at the rally. <br/><br/>Earlier addressing students of various higher educational institutions at IIT-Guwahati, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the demographic dividend of the country must contribute to make it the world leader. Exhorting the youth of the country to ensure that the 21st century is dominated by India, Mr Modi promised the government's assistance in the form of coordinated and planned schemes and programmes for the youth to excel. <br/><br/>He mentioned the Government's efforts towards skill development, the Make in India initiative, and the Start-up movement. The Prime Minister especially mentioned electronics and defence equipment manufacturing as priority areas. <br/><br/>The prime minister also mentioned of recent 'Start up India, Stand up India' and said it would encourage the youth to turn entrepreneurs. Assam Governor PB Acharyya, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, HRD minister Smriti Irani, among others, were present at the IIT-Guwahati function.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today hit out at the Congress government in Assam, accusing it of pushing the state into underdevelopment and backwardness. Addressing a 'Yuva Mahashakti Samaroh' organized by the BJP in Guwahati, Mr Modi said Assam is lagging behind in development due to the injustice done to the state by the Congress, which has been in power in the state for most of the time. <br/><br/>He questioned what Dr Manmohan Singh, who represented Assam in Rajya Sabha, did for the state as Prime Minister for 10 years. The Prime Minister said north eastern region is a treasure trove of natural resources, unmatched by any party in the country. He added with its huge raw materials, there is a large potential for development and we promise to tap it.<br/> <br/><br/>He mentioned of the NE-specific 'Act East' Policy for the region, under which connectivity and infrastructure were receiving a major boost. Besides the Prime Minister, Union minister Dr Jitendra Singh and Sarbananda Sonowal and BJP's youth wing's national president Anurag Goel, among others, were also present at the rally. <br/><br/>Earlier addressing students of various higher educational institutions at IIT-Guwahati, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the demographic dividend of the country must contribute to make it the world leader. Exhorting the youth of the country to ensure that the 21st century is dominated by India, Mr Modi promised the government's assistance in the form of coordinated and planned schemes and programmes for the youth to excel. <br/><br/>He mentioned the Government's efforts towards skill development, the Make in India initiative, and the Start-up movement. The Prime Minister especially mentioned electronics and defence equipment manufacturing as priority areas. <br/><br/>The prime minister also mentioned of recent 'Start up India, Stand up India' and said it would encourage the youth to turn entrepreneurs. Assam Governor PB Acharyya, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, HRD minister Smriti Irani, among others, were present at the IIT-Guwahati function.