Home minister P Chidambaram today claimed that the move to allow relatives and companions of Union ministers to travel by air with them will have "no financial implications".
On being asked about his views on the Bill in light of the austerity drive of the Centre, Chidambaram said "please read the Bill, it has no financial implications at all."
The minister, however, did not elaborate further.
Chidambaram said this while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 46th raising day celebrations of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) here.
The government last week introduced the Salaries and Allowances of Ministers (Amendment) Bill, 2009, in Lok Sabha to provide free air travel for companions or relatives of Union ministers, a facility which only their family members got till now, on lines of the privilege enjoyed by MPs.
"A Minister shall be entitled to an amount equal to the fare for a single journey performed by him, during each year, within India, either alone or along with spouse or legitimate or step children, residing with and wholly dependent on him, or any number of companions or relatives, at the same rates at which travelling allowances is payable to such Minister, subject to a maximum of 48 such fares per year," it said.
The Bill, which was piloted by Chidambaram, was later approved by the Lower House. It entitles ministers to take along "any number of companions or relatives" by air at the same rates at which travelling allowances were payable to them and their family.
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