Centre to set up Jagjivan Ram National Foundation: Cabinet

New Delhi, Nov 8 (UNI) A National Foundation will be set up to commemorate the centenary of former Deputy Prime Minister Babu Jagjivan Ram at a cost of Rs 54 crore.

A meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, today gave in principle approval for the project.

The ''Babu Jagjivan Ram National Foundation'' will facilitate implementation of various schemes for the social, educational and economic empowerment of the disadvantaged sections of socety, Finance Minister P Chidambaram told mediapersons after the meeting.

The foundation, which will function as a society under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, would help the disadvantaged sections to join the mainstream society and face the emerging challenges of the modern world.

Mr Chidambaram said of the Rs 54 crore sanctioned, Rs four crore would be used for start of activities of the foundation.

He said the ministry would submit a detailed proposal with regard to the project.

UNI