Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has substantially increased the provisions for the 'Mission in Education through ICT' scheme to Rs 900 crore (Rs 9 billion).

Similarly, the allocation for the establishment and upgradation for polytechnics under the Skill Development Mission has been increased to Rs 495 crore (Rs 4.95 billion).

Mukherjee further proposed the enhancement of the overall plan budget for higher education by Rs 2,000 crore (Rs 20 billion) over the Interim Budget estimates.

He further announced the allocation of Rs 2,113 crore (Rs 21.13 billion) for IITs and NITs, which includes a provision of Rs 450 crore (Rs 4.5 billion) for new IITs and NITs.

The finance minister also proposed to allocate Rs 827 crore (Rs 8.27 billion) for opening one central university in each uncovered state.

Emphasising the need for improving the facilities at Punjab University, Chandigarh, the finance minister proposed an allocation of Rs 50 crore (Rs 500 million) for the purpose. To enable the Union Territory of Chandigarh administration to provide better infrastructure to the people, the finance minister also proposed to enhance Plan allocation for the city during the current financial year.

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Budget 2009: Complete coverage