The Union Budget for 2024-25 has allocated Rs 1,248.91 crore for expenses related to the Council of Ministers, the Cabinet Secretariat, and the Prime Minister’s Office, including hospitality and entertainment for State guests. This marks a notable decrease from the Rs 1,803.01 crore allocated in the previous fiscal year.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the budget in Parliament on Tuesday.
Of this allocation, Rs 828.36 crore is earmarked for the expenses of the Council of Ministers, down from Rs 1,289.28 crore in 2023-24. This covers salaries, allowances, and travel expenses for cabinet ministers, ministers of state, and former prime ministers, including provisions for special flight operations for VVIPs.
The National Security Council Secretariat has been allotted Rs 202.10 crore, reduced from Rs 299.30 crore in the previous year, for administrative expenses and its space programme.
The Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor receives Rs 72.11 crore, down from Rs 76.20 crore, to cover administrative costs and support the National Research Foundation.
For the Cabinet Secretariat, Rs 75.24 crore has been allocated, compared to Rs 70.28 crore in 2023-24, to manage administrative expenses related to the Chemical Weapons Convention.
The Prime Minister’s Office has been allotted Rs 65.30 crore, up from Rs 62.65 crore, for administrative expenses.
A total of Rs 4 crore has been designated for hospitality and entertainment expenses, identical to the previous fiscal year. This provision supports government hospitality and entertainment for foreign State guests, official events at Rashtrapati Bhavan on behalf of the vice president and prime minister, and national day receptions.
Furthermore, Rs 1.80 crore has been allocated for payments of secretariat assistance to former governors, an increase from Rs 1.30 crore in 2023-24.