It's official Now: Ministers' Relatives and Companions can Avail Free Air Travel


NEW DELHI, Dec 22 (PTI): From now on, Ministers will be able to take "any number of companions or relatives" along by air for free with Parliament giving nod to a bill providing for such facilities to them.

The Salaries and Allowances of Ministers (Amendment) Bill was approved by the Rajya Sabha without discussion.

It was passed by the Lok Sabha on December 18, also without discussion.

The bill 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.

This brings the Ministers on par with the facilities given to MPs.

The Statement of the Objects and Reasons of the bill said it proposed to end the discrepancy between Ministers and MPs and allows the spouse or legitimate children or step-children, as also the Minister's companions or relatives, to travel on their own or with the Minister.   

  

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Comment on this article

  • Harish, Mangalore

    Wed, Dec 23 2009

    Hey guys!! I guess all of you were taken aback by the headlines. Ministers will be able to take relatives at concessional prices. i.e at prices for which they are given allowance. Which means they still pay the minimum basic fare and not for free. But anyways I think members from all parties are to be blamed since the bill was passed without any discussion. So nagesh maam stop blaming the govt and mixing issues. Ask your deities where the ministers from your party where at that time? Operation kamala?

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  • arjun k, Mumbai

    Wed, Dec 23 2009

    mr nagesh, just read news properly then talk " "The Salaries and Allowances of Ministers (Amendment) Bill was approved by the Rajya Sabha without discussion. It was passed by the Lok Sabha on December 18, also without discussion. "

    My question is whether your BJP MPs sleeping in both houses? Don't be fanatic, accept the fact !! Jai Ho Jealous people !!

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  • Dr. Haneef Shabab, Bhatkal

    Tue, Dec 22 2009

    This is called " Hawayi ki Dukaan per Nana ji ki fatiha "...Loot te raho Munna bhai, Loot te raho!

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  • naz, Panemangalore/Jeddah

    Tue, Dec 22 2009

    Already their pay raised, now this benefits. this bill is good for ministers concubines. Shame on Indian constitution.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • nagesh nayak, bangalore

    Tue, Dec 22 2009

    hey arjun, mind your language. you brainless people use word HELL etc. You should understand that mms is heading the govt. & India is suffering from 'n' number of problems for which your mms govt. did not lay down bills for discussion. what is the necessity of this bill ? who is going to benefit none other than your congress ministers , friends & relatives. jai ho lootmaar .

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  • Arjun K, Mumbai

    Tue, Dec 22 2009

    Hey Mr Nahesh Nayak, control your tongue..where the hell your BJP MPs were sleeping when bill was passed ?? This bill was passed with the support of BJP and all opposition. Your MPs too kept mum, because they could also enjoy the same facilities. Be nuetral man, don't be your own fav 'PSUEDO SECULARIST'

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  • nagesh nayak, bangalore

    Tue, Dec 22 2009

    PSUEDO SECULARIST PEOPLE ARE FAVOURING MMS FOR HIS WORK AS PER MADAMMES ORDER. THIS IS THE RESULT. BEGGING VOTES FROM POOR WITH FALSE PROMISES & NOW ENJOYING THEIR LIFE WITH RELATIVES & FRIENDS @ THE COST OF COMMON MANS TAX MONEY. CRORES OF PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING WITHOUT FOOD & SHELTER. MMS GOVT. IS NOT BOTHER TO HELP THEM OUT. JAI HO.

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  • Sudhakar Shetty, Mangalore/USA

    Tue, Dec 22 2009

    Mr.Mallya, Why is your eyes and mouth open only when congress govt does something. Please grow up and accept the fact its not govt its the politicians. If you want clear picture... Checkout yedyrappa govt in karnataka... Whos fathers money you think he is lavishly spending all around???

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  • Eulalia D'Souza, Bijai / Mangalore

    Tue, Dec 22 2009

    This is a rediclulous bill passed..!! As it is Politicians take airlines for granted and swindle tax payers monies to spend lavishly. Now this bill adds to thier comfort & our misery coz we the Tax payers will pay through our nose to all these extra expenses. Any number of companions is something that is unaccpetable, coz ministers can then take entire aircraft capacity of people as his people. Aviation industry which is already in a downward graphic will need to be prepared for this Free Travel Scheme. Why are our political systems so weak I wonder?? Are we citizens taken for granted and treated as some scape goats & they just decide what pleases them n benifits them, I wonder???

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  • Charles D'Mello, Pangala

    Tue, Dec 22 2009

    I have doubt....this Indian Airlines belongs to people of India or only to the Government officials. When common people has to pay through their nose, these corrupt officials and their enjoy the travel at an concessional price...!!!!!??? No doubt Indian Airlines is going to dogs and needs Government support..!!!????

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  • Rammohan, Puttur

    Tue, Dec 22 2009

    In the name of eliminating descrepancy, the privileged are pampered,public money is spent, accommodation opportunity to ordinary paying traveler is lost, and we do not know who and what the definition of a companion or relative will be to be included in the category of free travel or why they should accompanyy the minister concerned.

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  • AVA, BLORE

    Tue, Dec 22 2009

    The ministers have too much power so much so tomorrow they could become ministers for life. We the public have to stop this nonsense. If anything pertaining to ministers should be first approved by the public. Or the best is to close down Air India and Indian Airlines for good or we the citizens will pay the price.

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  • AMAR NATHAL, MANGALORE

    Tue, Dec 22 2009

    PEOPLE OF INDIA ARE AT THE SERVICE OF THE MINISTERS. PEOPLE OF INDIA, WAKE UP and PAY TAXES, please!

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  • Kenny, Mangalore/Canada

    Tue, Dec 22 2009

    Mr Mathew, Thank our stars. We are out of that territory. Indian taxpayers are bleeding.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Prashanth, M'lore/ US

    Tue, Dec 22 2009

    This is insanely ridiculous!!!! Tax payers money for Ministers and their companions travel expenses?

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • remi, mangalore/dubai

    Tue, Dec 22 2009

    Nothing great.... everthying now a days is hipppppop ....rocking in style.... sleeping in style... stealing in style....and flying in style...before everything was hidden secret.... now it is open secret...bloody assoooles... this is what happens when people like us fight for religion, language, and support corruption.

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  • Ralph Rouse, Mangalore UK

    Tue, Dec 22 2009

    Any thing the politicans want for their self well being at the cost of the tax payer's money, make it a point to pass such bills in both the houses of parliment without any objection or discussion and on the spur of the moment without any delay, where as when any bill pertaining to the welfare of the 'Aam Admi' is concerned there is so much delay and mostly the bills are kept in cold storage in many cases, for lack of consensus or some other reasons best known only to them, for example the womens representation bill which is yet to be passed and many other peoples welfare bills. This shows why criminals vie to become a politican since they know once they become a politician they are above the law and can easily manupilate all official machinery for their own welfare and selfish use and purpose.

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  • Anil, Bahrain

    Tue, Dec 22 2009

    We are in the 21st century & do not expect our politicians to make such stupid decisions in the parliment. Remember they might increase taxes to cover these expenses!!!!! who knows??

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  • ronyam, mlore/abudhabi

    Tue, Dec 22 2009

    IS IT LIMITED WITHIN INDIA,UNFORTUNATELY MY MP UNCLE IS NO MORE.OTHERWISE EVEN I WOULD HAVE ENJOYED THE PLEASURE OF FLYING FREE

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  • c ferrer, mangalore

    Tue, Dec 22 2009

    This is nothing but rape of the Exchequer and I hope that the President sends the bill back to parliament. What do they think they can take their family and friends at the cost of the taxpayers. Thats why some call India the Banana republic. Shame on our parliamentarians.

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  • Mallya, Mangalore

    Tue, Dec 22 2009

    This wasteful expenditure at the cost of the tax payer, along with the steep hike in prices of all essentials is the latest festival gift of the wonderful congress government which works for the "Aam Admi".

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  • A.S.Mathew, U.S.A.

    Tue, Dec 22 2009

    Air India may have a new name "Government shuttle". Change all the economy and business class, and put beds, shower and bar. Let the politicians, their families and the friends may fly around the world. May the tax payers travel by ordinary train and walk for exercise to reach the destinations. Indeed, it is called " political capitalism of India".

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