Friday, February 10 2006 10:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here yesterday (Feb 10,2006) and sought special financial assistance for the state as also compensation for the Bhagalpur riot victims on the lines of that for the victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

After his 30-minute meeting with Singh, Kumar told reporters that Bihar needed additional central assistance for irrigation, power and other infrastructure development projects, especially after the carving out of Jharkhand.

Kumar, who met Singh two days ahead of Bihar's plan discussion with Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, said he had also urged the Prime Minister to increase the plan size keeping in mind the state's backwardness.

On the Bhagalpur issue, he said he had already written to the Prime Minister on the matter.

To a question, Kumar said the Prime Minister assured him that he would do everything possible for the all-round development of Bihar.

Asked whether the issue of Governor's appointment came up during the discussion, he replied in the negative but hoped that the Centre would consult him when the need arises.