Over Rs 255 crore was spent on chartered flights during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign engagements in the past three years, the Rajya Sabha was told on Thursday.
The BJP held the first meeting of its parliamentary party for the winter session on November 19, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar briefing MPs on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent trips abroad. Jaishankar emphasised on the point that PM Modi’s foreign visits had boosted India’s standing and furthered the country’s interests.
In a written reply, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said that in 2016-17 Rs 76.27 crore was spent on chartered flights as compared to Rs 99.32 crore in 2017-18.
In 2018-19, Rs 79.91 crore was spent, while the bill for 2019-20 has not been received, he said.
Muraleedharan also said, “As per Government of India policy on the use of IAF aircraft/helicopters by VVIPs and VIPs, the Prime Minister is entitled to free airlift in IAF aircraft and helicopters on official tours.”
Earlier in 2018, Former Minister of State for External Affairs V.K Singh had informed the Rajya Sabha that between June 15, 2014, to June 10, 2018, the government had spent Rs 1,484 crore for PM’s visits to 84 countries. In his report, he said that from June 10 to December 3, 2018, the PM had made six trips.
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