Rs 1.23 cr spent on VIP security, accommodation in 2024-25: CM Omar

Jammu, Mar 23: The government spent Rs 1.23 crore on VIP travel and accommodation in 2024-25 in J&K, the House was informed today.

Rs 3.77 Cr were claimed as Travel Allowance (TA) and Dearness Allowance (DA) by the officers of J&K within or outside the Union Territory. Similarly, Rs 4.17 lakh were claimed as TA and DA against foreign visits by them.

Rs 4.17 lakh were claimed as TA and DA against foreign visits by them

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah shared this information with the Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs).

“The expenditure incurred on account of VIP visits to J&K is following the established protocols and the imperative need to ensure the smooth conduct of such visits,” the CM said responding to the details sought by Awami Ittehal Party (AIP) MLA Sheikh Khursheed.

CM Omar said that the visits of VIPs “play a crucial role in governance and policy implementation, and bring the policymakers and decision-makers at the highest levels face to face with the people and the region.”

“Such visits often focus on developmental projects, security assessments and addressing the concerns of the local population. The expenditure facilitates these essential activities and reflects the government’s commitment to responsive governance,” he said.

Emphasising the importance of security protocols, the CM said that the provision of adequate security was a non-negotiable necessity.

He said that the movement of VIPs required heightened security arrangements to safeguard both the dignitaries and the people.

“Deploying security convoys, ensuring secure travel and meeting operational requirements is mandatory. These measures are taken in coordination with law enforcement agencies under strict administrative oversight,” CM Omar told AIP MLA Sheikh Khursheed, who had sought details about the “excessive and unwarranted expenditure incurred on VIP security and accommodation and travel imposing an undue financial burden on the state exchequer.”

Asserting that all expenditures are incurred following established financial rules and are subject to multi-tier scrutiny, he said, “The total expenditure of Rs 1,23,12,245 during the financial year 2024-25, incurred on travel and accommodation is well within the sanctioned budgetary allocation and each expense is accounted for, and periodic audits ensure transparency and fiscal discipline.”

According to the CM, all such expenses are “subject to rigorous oversight and committed to balancing fiscal prudence with the imperative of delivering effective governance.”

Separately, responding to BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa, he said that the officers of 47 J&K departments had claimed Rs 3,77,13,505 as TA and DA within and outside J&K while Rs 4,17,168 were claimed by them on foreign visits.

The amount of Rs 4.17 lakh was claimed by the officers of the Agriculture Department (Rs 2,91,583) and Social Welfare Department (Rs 1,25,585).