budget-24-rs-1249-crore-for-salaries-of-union-ministers-entertainment-of-guests-ex-governors

In the latest interim budget, Rs 1,248.91 crore has been earmarked for various expenses, including those of the council of ministers, cabinet secretariat, prime minister's office, and the hospitality and entertainment of state guests. Notably, this allocation is notably lower than the Rs 1803.01 crore allocated in the previous fiscal year.

A significant portion, Rs 832.81 crore, has been designated for the expenses of the council of ministers, encompassing salaries, allowances, and travel for cabinet ministers, ministers of state, and ex-prime ministers. This provision also covers special extra session flight operations for VVIPs.

The National Security Council Secretariat receives Rs 200 crore, a decrease from the previous allocation of Rs 299.30 crore. This allocation is intended to cover administrative expenses and the space program of the National Security Council Secretariat.

The office of the principal scientific advisor is allocated Rs 76.20 crore to meet administrative expenses, including those of the national research foundation. This marks a slight increase from the Rs 75 crore allocated in the preceding fiscal year.

For the administrative expenses related to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), the cabinet secretariat is allotted Rs 70 crore, slightly lower than the previous year's allocation of Rs 70.28 crore.

The prime minister's office is allocated Rs 65.30 crore for administrative expenses, a marginal increase from the Rs 62.65 crore in the previous fiscal year.

An allocation of Rs 4 crore is specified for hospitality and entertainment expenses, consistent with the previous year's allocation. This provision covers government hospitality and entertainment for foreign state guests, official events at Rashtrapati Bhawan on behalf of the vice president and prime minister, and ceremonies on national days.

Furthermore, the budget designates Rs 1.80 crore for secretariat assistance to former governors, a slight increase from the Rs 1.30 crore allocated in the preceding fiscal year. This provision is directed towards payments for secretariat assistance to ex-governors.

The revised allocations reflect a strategic approach to government spending in critical areas while considering the fiscal constraints and priorities for the upcoming financial year.