The government said on Friday the proposed cess on all central taxes to fund education will not be a bitter pill as the burden would fall only on those who can bear it.

"The cess is for a laudable purpose. I will take a look where the cess will fall. As I have already said, we will apply the doctrine of proportionality. Any burden will fall on those who can bear it," Finance Minister P Chidambaram said at a press conference in New Delhi.

Asked what sort of cess the government was contemplating, he said: "I haven't thought about where the cess will fall."

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"Please remember, the cess by definition is earmarked for education for our children, our grandchildren and the boys and girls who drop out after class five and the large proportion of 60-65 per cent. So, I don't think anyone can question the purpose of cess," he said.