Shillong: Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma on Sunday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for claiming lack of development in the state.

In a statement issued here, the chief minister said, "It is any irony to hear these words from the Prime Minister who just inaugurated those projects, brought by the Congress-led UPA government."

He said Modi had used the venue of the official programme for his political party rally "which is totally unacceptable and against all conventions".

"I was surprised to hear from the Prime Minister who made a statement that there was no development in the state, but he indeed inaugurated road projects sanctioned and implemented by the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre, which understood the needs of the people and made huge investments over a period of time to build massive road projects - Shillong Bypass and four laning of Shillong-Guwahati Road," he said.

According to Mukul, these massive investments have come up over a period of time because of the persistent and committed effort of the Congress government to get these massive projects sanctioned by "our leadership in Delhi who understood and acknowledged the hope and aspirations of our beloved people. Such massive investments are unprecedented in the history of Meghalaya".

Mukul said these road projects are now connecting people from both west and eastern sides who no longer needed to visit the state capital.

On the health sector, he said Meghalaya is pioneering state to bring a new health insurance plan - the Megha Health Insurance Scheme - one of the most inclusive programmes covering all aspects of the life which is now in phase III.

"I request the Prime Minister to do his homework, verify and ascertain facts before berating an elected government. The state flagship health scheme has been acknowledged by the Union health ministry, which after studying it, has advised replication by other states," Mukul said.

Lashing out at the Prime Minister and the BJP-led NDA government, Mukul said the northeastern states used to get block grants through the Planning Commission under the UPA government.

These funds were used to take up innovative schemes like healthcare and various other need-based local projects.

"Since the BJP-led government came to power, the Northeast states are not receiving these block grants meant to bridge the critical infrastructure gaps," Mukul said.