Budget 2023-24: Rs 1,258.68 crore earmarked for Union cabinet, ministers' salaries, travel, sumptuary

The Union budget for 2023-24 has allocated Rs 1,258.68 crore for various heads of expenditure of the Union cabinet, including salaries, sumptuary and travel by ministers and entertainment of foreign state guests.

The amount includes the expenditure for the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the National Security Council Secretariat, the office of the Principal Scientific Advisor and secretariat assistance to former governors.

The bulk of the allocation (Rs 832.81 crore) has been earmarked for the Council of Ministers.

The provision is for the expenditure on salaries, sumptuary and other allowances and travel by cabinet ministers, ministers of state and former prime ministers. This also includes a provision for special extra-session flight operations for VVIPs.

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An amount of Rs 185.7 crore has been allocated to the National Security Council Secretariat. The provision is for meeting its administrative expenses.

An amount of Rs 96.93 crore has been allocated to the office of the Principal Scientific Advisor. The provision is for meeting the administrative expenses of the office and the National Research Foundation.

An amount of Rs 71.91 crore has been earmarked for the Cabinet Secretariat. The provision is for meeting the administrative expenses of the Cabinet Secretariat and the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).

An amount of Rs 62.65 crore has been allocated for the PMO. The provision is for meeting the administrative expenses of the PMO.

An amount of Rs 6.88 crore has been earmarked for hospitality and entertainment expenses.

The provision is for expenditure on government hospitality and entertainment of foreign state guests, official entertainment arranged at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on behalf of the vice president and the prime minister, reception on national days, investiture and ceremonies for the presentation of credentials etc.

An amount of Rs 1.8 crore has also been allocated for secretariat assistance to former governors.