SHILLONG: In an effort to woo the anti-uranium mining groups in Meghalaya, especially after the Central delegation's recent failure to convince the NGOs and political parties for the UCIL project, the Centre has sanctioned Rs 800 crore for development of infrastructure around the mining sites in West Khasi Hills. According to official sources on Tuesday, the decision to sanction the funds was taken in a meeting between Union Cabinet Secretary KM Chandrasekhar, State Government officials and representatives from UCIL and Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) in New Delhi on Monday. The Union Cabinet Secretary and AEC Chairman Anil Kakodar visited the State last week and held separate meetings with State Government officials and NGOs and political parties over the mining issue. The Central team allayed fears of the NGOs and political parties over health hazards from radiation if the mining was carried out, but failed to convince some of them including KSU, HSPDP and KHNAM. Official sources said the Rs 800 crore sanctioned by the Centre would be spent for development of infrastructure in Kylleng-Pyndensohiong-Mawthabah areas in the West Khasi Hills district where there is large deposits of uranium, provided the mining is allowed in the State. The amount has been sanctioned for setting up of five rural health centres, one Kendriya Vidyalaya, a polytechnic and for water supply connections in the area. Official sources further added that the Union Government is willing to spend more for development of the area if the State Government gave go ahead to the mining of the precious metal needed to fill the country's requirement of nuclear energy.