Budget allocation for PMO hiked marginally

In 2017-18, the PMO was allocated Rs 44.13 crore for meeting administrative expenses which has been marginally hiked to Rs 50.35 crore for 2018-19.

The Budget allocation for the next fiscal for the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has seen a marginal increase, while the fund for government hospitality and entertainment of foreign State guests has remained more or less the same as compared to the current financial year.

A man watches the live telecast of the Union Budget 2018 coverage on TV, in Mumbai on Thursday. (Kunal Patil/HT Photo)

In 2017-18, the PMO was allocated Rs 44.13 crore for meeting administrative expenses which has been marginally hiked to Rs 50.35 crore for 2018-19.

The hospitality and entertainment expenses, which include provision for expenditure on government hospitality and entertainment of foreign State guests, has remained virtually unchanged. In 2017-18, Rs 5 crore was allocated under the head. This time, it has been provided Rs 5.22 crore.

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 presentation of credentials are covered under this head.