‘Education a priority area’

New Delhi, Feb 28: Calling education an area of priority, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram Thursday announced an increase of 17 percent in the budget allocated to this sector, to Rs.65,867 crore (over Rs.650 billion).

"My idea is to provide opportunities for youth to acquire education, skills, decent jobs and live with their families in a safe environment," the finance minister said.

The flagship midday meal scheme at government schools got an allocation of Rs.13,215 crore (over Rs.130 billion).

He added that thousands of scholarships would be given to girl students, and those belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.