The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved taking over of Borooah Cancer Institute in Guwahati by Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Jitendra Singh said.

Briefing media persons after the meet, he said the institute would be brought under the administrative control of Tata Memorial Centre, an aided institution of the DAE.Singh said the move assumes significance in the wake of the increasing instances of cancer, limited cancer treatment facilities and the need for a hospital support to carry out further research in the northeastern region."The approximate non-recurring expenditure for strengthening of the institute is estimated at Rs 150 crore and annual recurring expenditure is estimated at Rs 45 to 50 crore," a government statement said.

Borooah Cancer Institute was established in 1974 by a voluntary organisation in Guwahati with the objective of investigation, diagnosis and treatment of cancer in the northeast.The Assam Government took over the institute in 1986 and entered into a tripartite agreement with the DAE and the North Eastern Council for management of the institute, the minister said.In 2013, the Assam government had proposed that DAE should take over the institute to develop it as a center for excellence for cancer treatment, education, and research for the entire region.