Budget 2014: 15.6% hike in allocation of expenses for Cabinet

NEW DELHI: Allocation for expenses of Union Council of Ministers, hospitality of foreign dignitaries, Prime Minister's Office besides others have got a modest hike of 15.6 per cent in the Union Budget 2014-15.

As per the Budget proposal, Rs 433.52 crore has been earmarked for the expenditure under the head Cabinet. Rs 375 crore was allocated for the same in 2013-14.

Rs 5.80 crore has been allocated for salaries of Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State. Last year, the provision was Rs 5.75 crore.

Rs 271.80 crore has been allocated for expenditure on travel by the Union Ministers and former Prime Ministers. This includes provision for maintenance of aircraft utilised for VVIP travel. Rs 260.26 crore was given for this in 2013-14.

For sumptuary and other allowances of Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State, a provision of Rs 11 crore has been made.

Rs 54.15 crore has been earmarked for the expenditure on salaries, travel expenses, office expenses and other establishment related expenditure of Cabinet Secretariat.

The Budget allocated Rs 44.46 crore for expenditure on salaries, travel expenses, office expenses and other establishment related expenditure of National Security Council Secretariat.

A provision of Rs 38.44 crore has been made for the salaries, travel expenses, office expenses and other establishment related expenditure of PMO.

Rs 5.09 crore has been earmarked for expenditure on salaries, travel expenses and other establishment related expenditure of Principal Scientific Advisor/ National Advisory Council.

The Budget also allocated Rs 2.78 crore for expenditure on government hospitality and entertainment of foreign state guests, official entertainment arranged at Rashtrapati Bhavan on behalf of Vice-President and Prime Minister, reception on National Days, investiture and ceremonies for presentation of credentials.

There are 45 Ministers in the Narendra Modi-led government. The total number of Ministers in previous Manmohan Singh government was 68.