Rajasthan CM meets PM, demands special central assistance

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje today met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sought special central assistance from the Centre in view of frequent droughts and other issues faced by her state.
"During the 45-minute meeting, Raje apprised the Prime Minister about various issues of the state's interest in detail and said it needed additional aid from the union government in view of its special geographical conditions, frequent droughts and scarcity of water," a state government release said.
Raje also told Modi that geographically Rajasthan was the biggest state of the country and it faced several challenges including the security of the longest international border.

"The cost of development was more in comparison to other states in the deserts, hilly terrains and tribal regions. In such circumstances, several criterion for the central assistance were not applicable for Rajasthan," she said.
The Chief Minister also said that access to electricity, water, road, medical facilities and other basic infrastructural services at the remotely-situated villages and small hamlets was a very big challenge. In view of such conditions, a special central assistance for Rajasthan would be appropriate, she demanded.
Raje also called on Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance and Defence Minister Arun Jaitley and Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti.