Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi met UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi on Thursday and apprised her on the issue of proposed dam construction by the Chinese authorities in the upper reaches of river Brahmaputra.

Gogoi informed her that a high-powered committee would be formed soon by the Assam Government to investigate into the reported move by China to construct the dam.

Apprising her about the present law and order situation in Assam, the Chief Minister told her that backwardness and inaccessibility in some tribal dominant areas of the State was a major cause of concern. He said, in order to remove the economic backwardness and inaccessibility, more emphasis has been given on all round development in those areas through implementation of a slew of welfare schemes and projects including road, drinking water, power, education etc.

Gogoi also apprised her about the situation in North Cachar Hills district and insurgency problem.

UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi agreed upon the fact that exclusive welfare and development schemes should be taken up by the Central Government looking into the confluence of diversity and unique identity of North Eastern States.

The Chief Minister, among others, discussed with the UPA Chairperson on the matter regarding increase in widow pension and more thrust on employment generation schemes.

With Inputs from Ramani Kanta Sharma.