Rs 150 cr to NE states for education: Cabinet

New Delhi, Mar 16 (UNI) The Centre today decided to give a one-time grant of Rs 150 crore to the North-Eastern states for the implementation of the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan.

The decision, taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, represents about 15 per cent out of the 25 per cent states' share for the programme.

The Rs 150 crore would be provided by the Department of Development of the North-Eastern region, Finance Minister P Chidambaram told reporters.

The North-Eastern states would now have to bear only 10 per cent of the cost involved in the programme, he said.

The one-time grant is meant for 2005-06 and 2006-07.

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