The government has spent Rs 1,484 crore since June 2014 for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visits to 84 countries, Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh told Rajya Sabha on Thursday. The money was spent on chartered flights, maintenance of aircraft and hotline facilities.
Singh gave a break up of the cost incurred under these three categories between June 15, 2014, and June 10, 2018. While a sum of Rs 1,088.42 crore was spent on maintenance of the prime minister’s aircraft, Rs 387.26 was paid to hire chartered flights. For hotline facilities, the government spent Rs 9.12 crore.
However, the cost of chartered flights for Modi’s visits in 2018-’19 and the expenditure on hotline facilities in 2017-’18 and 2018-’19 were not included. Modi has undertaken 42 foreign trips since he became the prime minister in May 2014.
“Diplomatic outreach during this period [since May 2014] has included first-ever visits from India to several countries at the head of government level,” Singh said, according to PTI. He said the visits enhanced foreign countries’ involvement in India’s flagship programmes.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!