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The travel and other expenses of Union Ministers have been slashed by a whopping 54 per cent in the 2016-17 Budget presented on Monday.
According to the Budget estimates, the amount allocated under the head of 'Tour Expenses' has been fixed at Rs 259 crore (Rs 2.59 billion).
The expenditure under this head, which covers salaries, sumptuary and other allowances and travel of Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State and ex-Prime Ministers, was pegged at Rs 269 crore (Rs 2.69 billion) for 2015-16.
However, the budgetary expenses under this head, which also covers maintenance of VVIP aircraft, was revised later to Rs 566.66 crore (Rs 5.66 billion).
This year, the government has introduced Rs 4.35 crore (Rs 43.5 million) under the head of 'Hospitality and Entertainment' under which expenditure on government hospitality and entertainment of foreign state guests and official entertainment arranged at Rashtrapati Bhawan on behalf of the Vice President and the Prime Minister.
It also includes reception on national days, investiture ceremonies and presentation of credentials.
Image: Air India offers cheap fares. Photograph: Courtesy, Boeing