In recognition to the State Government's initiatives to ensure development and quality of life for its citizens, Assam has been awarded the most improved large State in the categories of Overall performance, Economy and Health by leading news magazine of the country India Today at the "State of the States Conclave" held in New Delhi on Thursday.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal received the award from Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu in presence of Chief Ministers of Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sonowal thanked the Prime Minister and the Union Government for their unstinted support and the cooperation of the government employees and people of the state in scripting a new growth narrative in the State.

The categories on which the states are judged in the annual India Today "The State of the States" study, include economy, agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure, inclusive development, law and order, governance, entrepreneurship, environment and cleanliness.