Calling education an area of priority, FinanceMinister P. Chidambaram Thursday announced an increase of 17 percent in thebudget allocated to this sector, to Rs.65,867 crore (over Rs.650 billion).
"My idea is to provide opportunities for youth toacquire education, skills, decent jobs and live with their families in a safeenvironment," the finance minister said.
The flagship midday meal scheme at government schools got anallocation of Rs.13,215 crore (over Rs.130 billion).
He added that thousands of scholarships would be given togirl students, and those belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.