In tune with New Delhi’s policy to have at least one college in each district of the country, Arunachal Pradesh is all set to establish six model degree colleges in educationally backward districts of the state.

Education minister Bosiram Siram told media persons today that a high level team led by higher and technical education (HTE) director Dr Joram Begi would be touring the state to finalise the locations for the colleges.

The centre had hiked its higher education budget to 34 percent in 2011-12 with the aim of providing greater tertiary opportunities to its young population.

Dr Begi said that the UGC has approved six model degree colleges, including the one at Seppa in East Kameng district with rupees eight crore for developing basic infrastructure in each college.

"The colleges set up since December 2008 would be brought under the scheme as per UGC norms," he said adding, the centre has already approved rupees nine crore, including one crore for a girls hostel at the Seppa College.

The colleges, in principle, would be located in Upper Siang, Kurung Kumey, Upper Siang (Geku) and Lower Dibang Valley (Roing), while the sixth district is yet to be finalised, Begi informed.