PM Modi's Overseas Trips Cost Over Rs 22.76 Crore Since 2019, Govt Tells Parliament

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 21 trips abroad cost the country around Rs 22.76 crore, External Affairs Minister's foreign trips were worth Rs 20.8 crore.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken 21 trips abroad since 2019, costing the government over Rs 22.76 crore (approximately $3.1 million), according to Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan.

Meanwhile, former President Ram Nath Kovind took eight trips abroad, incurring a cost of over Rs 6.24 crore (approximately $845,000). External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar took 86 trips abroad during the same period, costing the government a total of Rs 20,87,01,475 (approximately $2.8 million).

PM Modi has visited Japan three times and the US and UAE twice, while President Kovind visited the UK once. These trips have played a crucial role in strengthening India's relationships with other countries, but they also come at a significant financial cost to the government.

Current President Droupadi Murmu visited the UK last September. 

Government Reveals No Decision Made on Uniform Civil Code

On Thursday, the government informed the Rajya Sabha that there had been no decision regarding the implementation of a uniform civil code in the country.

In a written reply, Law Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that the government had asked the 21st Law Commission to examine the various issues related to the uniform civil code and make recommendations. However, the term of the 21st Law Commission ended on August 31, 2018, and the matter may be taken up by the 22nd Law Commission for consideration. "The term of the 21st Law Commission ended on August 31, 2018. As per the information received from the Law Commission, the matter related to uniform civil code may be taken up by the 22nd Law Commission for its consideration," he said.

"Therefore, no decision on implementation of uniform civil code has been taken as of now," he said.

The term of the present law panel is set to end later this month, and government sources have indicated that the panel's term may be extended. The ruling BJP had promised to implement a uniform civil code in both the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

The current panel was set up on February 21, 2020, but its chairperson and members were appointed in November last year, months before the end of its term.

The implementation of a uniform civil code was one of the BJP's poll promises during the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections. 

(With inputs from PTI.)