New Delhi, Nov 28 (IANS): To benefit students, researchers, scientists, children, artists and disabled people, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs Thursday approved the upgradation of libraries under the National Mission on Libraries (NML), a statement said.

The scheme would cost Rs.400 crore during the 12th Plan (2012-17) period.

Under the scheme, a National Virtual Library of India for facilitating a comprehensive database on digital resources on information about India, would be created, the statement said.

Further six libraries under the ministry of culture, 35 state libraries and 35 district libraries, with particular emphasis on economically backward districts, will be set up as model libraries under the scheme, the statement added.

In addition, 629 district libraries across the states would be provided network connectivity.

The scheme also aims to prepare a baseline data of libraries in India and proposes to enhance the professional competence of library personnel.