New Delhi, March 22 (IANS) The government Thursday said it would spend Rs.25.8 million to provide special security cover to the Indian cricket team that is currently playing the World Cup in the West Indies.

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi told reporters here after a cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The government has already sent a team of security experts with the Indian team to Jamaica. The cabinet decision takes effect retrospectively, Dasmunsi said.

The entire security cover consists of a two-member advance liaison team comprising one officer each of Intelligence Bureau (IB) and National Security Guards (NSG).

Besides, the IB has spared two officers for placement in the Regional Intelligence Fusion Centre (RIFC), in rotation, till the players return to India, in order to coordinate the intelligence sharing.

Additionally, one officer each of IB and Delhi Police will accompany the team members on rotation, said Dasmunsi.

Two bomb disposal squads of NSG comprising three officers, one Junior commissioned officer, and 12 other ranks will also be ready for operations in Jamaica.