The Union Budget for the fiscal year 2025-26, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Lok Sabha on Saturday, has allocated Rs 1,024.30 crore for the expenses incurred by the Council of Ministers, the Cabinet Secretariat, and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), along with provisions for hospitality and entertainment for state guests. This allocation is slightly higher than the Rs 1,021.83 crore allocated in the 2024-25 Budget.

The largest share of this amount is Rs 619.04 crore that has been allotted for the expenses of the Council of Ministers, which includes the salaries, allowances, and travel expenses for Cabinet ministers, ministers of state, and former prime ministers. This marks an increase from Rs 540.95 crore allocated in the previous fiscal year. Additionally, provisions have been made for special extra session flight operations for VVIPs.

The National Security Council Secretariat has received an allocation of Rs 182.75 crore, a decrease from the Rs 270.08 crore provided in 2024-25. The funds will cover the Secretariat’s administrative expenses and its space program.

The office of the Principal Scientific Advisor has been allocated Rs 70.12 crore, up from Rs 65.72 crore in 2024-25, to meet its administrative expenses and support the National Research Foundation. Similarly, the Cabinet Secretariat has been allotted Rs 75.68 crore, an increase from Rs 73.98 crore last year, for administrative costs related to the Cabinet Secretariat and the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) will receive Rs 70.91 crore, up from Rs 65.30 crore allocated in 2024-25, for administrative expenses.

In terms of hospitality and entertainment, the Budget has allocated Rs 4 crore, maintaining the same amount as the previous year. This provision covers government hospitality and entertainment of foreign state guests, official events at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, and national day receptions, among other ceremonial functions.

Lastly, Rs 1.80 crore has been allocated for secretariat assistance payments to former governors, the same as the previous year.

(With PTI Inputs)