Amidst thunderous applause from the gathering at his civic reception in the Netaji Indoor Stadium here, Amartya Sen announced that after paying taxes on the prize money, he planned to share it with a charity trust named after his Santiniketan residence, `Pratichi.'

The announcement came at the fag end of his 40-minute speech. He said education and health care had been among his major concerns over the years, adding, ``In view of the enormity of the problems faced, a trust like this can make only a little difference, but I must try to do what I can. I would count on your good wishes in my tiny effort.''

Tagore, India's first Nobel Prize winner, spent his prize money on the development of his university Visva Bharati in 1913.

Earlier, in line with the Nobel prize winner'ssuggestions, State Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta announced the government's decision to implement universalisation of primary education for children in the age group of five to nine by 2002.

Dasgupta said the State Government would take steps to reduce child mortality which stood at 54 per 1,000 in the state as against 72 at the national level. He sought central assistance in this endeavour.

Dasgupta said the State Government would have to spend an additional Rs 1,000 crore for the universalisation of primary education.

In a reference to popular demand for translation of Amartya Sen's books into Bengali, he said the State Government had decided to take steps in this direction in consultation with Sen. Besides, a decision was also taken to set up a research institute that would match up to international standards in the State for higher study on land reforms, education, health and development.

Sen was presented a gold embroidered citation on silver plaques by Chief Minister Jyoti Basu, asouvenir and mementoes by Calcutta Mayor Prasanta Chatterjee and a citation by Howrah Mayor Swadesh Chakraborty.

The dais had a large replica of the Town Hall, the historic building where Tagore was felicitated after winning the Nobel Prize in 1913.

Sen's mother Amita, wife Emma Rothschild and other family members attended the function.