Rs 1,024.30 cr allocated for ministers’ salaries and entertainment of state guests

way2barak, February 2: The Union Budget for the fiscal year 2025-26, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Lok Sabha on Saturday, has allocated Rs 1,024.30 crore for the expenses incurred by the Council of Ministers, the Cabinet Secretariat, and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), along with provisions for hospitality and entertainment for state guests. This allocation is slightly higher than the Rs 1,021.83 crore allocated in the 2024-25 Budget.

The largest share of this amount is Rs 619.04 crore that has been allotted for the expenses of the Council of Ministers, which includes the salaries, allowances, and travel expenses for Cabinet ministers, ministers of state, and former prime ministers. This marks an increase from Rs 540.95 crore allocated in the previous fiscal year. Additionally, provisions have been made for special extra session flight operations for VVIPs.