Prime Minister Modi Exemplifies Fiscal Responsibility by Avoiding Use of Taxpayer Funds for Personal Celebrations, RTI Reveals
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New Delhi, Jan 7 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dedication to thriftiness and moral governance has been underscored once more through a reply to a Right to Information (RTI) inquiry. It was disclosed that neither PM Modi nor the late former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh used government resources for their personal Diwali celebrations during their time in office.
This approach of refraining from utilizing public funds for personal festivities exemplifies PM Modi's principle of setting an example, particularly regarding public integrity and fiscal responsibility.
An activist based in Pune, Prafful Sarda, submitted the RTI request in November 2024 to obtain information about the annual expenditures for the Diwali festival by both leaders. Dr. Singh, who passed away on December 26, 2024, along with PM Modi, has consistently asserted that no public funds were allocated for their personal celebrations.
In a communication dated January 3, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) affirmed that no government finances were utilized for the personal expenses of either prime minister. The PMO’s Under Secretary and Central Public Information Officer (CPIO), Parvesh Kumar, stated, "The personal expenses of the prime minister are not covered by government funds. The Prime Minister Office (PMO) does not allocate any finances for the PM’s personal expenses."
Following the RTI disclosure, Prafful Sarda expressed optimism that other political figures, including ministers, governors, chief ministers, MPs, and MLAs, would emulate this practice of abstaining from using government funds for personal expenditures, irrespective of their political affiliations.
"I hope other Ministers, Governors, Chief Ministers, Members of Parliament, and Members of the Legislative Assembly will adopt the same practice, regardless of their political alliances," remarked RTI activist Sarda.
This disclosure surfaces amid a debate over Prime Minister Modi’s 7.5-carat diamond gift to US First Lady Jill Biden during his 2023 trip. The diamond ignited an international discussion after US authorities appraised it at $20,000, while India’s Ministry of External Affairs clarified that the gem, being lab-grown, had a significantly lower estimated value of under Rs 2 lakh.
