Finance Minister P Chidambaram today proposed to extend the benefit of tax deduction to health schemes offered by the Centre and the states similar to the Central Government Health Scheme.

"Contributions made to the Central Government Health Scheme are eligible for deduction under section 80-D of the Income Tax Act. I propose to extend the same benefit to similar schemes of the Central Government and State Governments," Chidambaram said while unveiling the budget proposals for 2013-14 in Parliament.

The Finance Minister also announced that donations made to the National Children's Fund will now be eligible for 100 per cent deduction.