Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Should PMs spend public money for travelling abroad?' that was published in Newsband

Should PMs spend public money for travelling abroad?

With just a few months left of his tenure, Narendra Modi has clocked 48 foreign trips, 10 more than his predecessor Manmohan Singh and has raised a bill of ₹429.28 crore, just ₹64 crore less than his predecessor for hiring chartered flights. The bills for chartered flights for four tours totalling ₹19.32 crore have not been “settled due to paucity of funds” in this financial year. PM’s chartered flights cost ₹429 crore, just ₹64 crore less than his predecessor. The PMO owes ₹375.29 crore in respect of aircraft maintenance. During Modi’s tenure, the bill for PM’s aircraft maintenance exceeds by ₹731.58 crore that of his predecessor.

Dr. Singh was never a silent Prime Minister. In fact, he used to hold long briefings during his foreign tours with the contingent of Indian journalists accompanying him. Modi took only a very small group of journalists. Modi's trips are fruitful to our country since his trips had lot of actions and were business-filled. It cannot be compared with previous which profit less and vision less and just enjoying public money.

Essential expenses need not be the issue of discussion. Leaving aside which Prime Minister made how many trips and what the costs were, has anyone thought it fit to get an idea of what good came out of these trips for the country? Looking at the countries of the world at large, in general, countries in the West do not see their presidents, chancellors or prime ministers tooling around the world unless it serves some purpose other than those of themselves? These trips should serve the needs of the country not the collection of memories and souvenirs.

Whatever may be the expenditure, India earned good reputation and got recognized globally. That is why there are many to listen to Modi during his tours, which was not happening with other dignitaries India ever had.

But the thing is while the cost of air travel of the present PM appears lesser than under the ex-PM, the cost of aircraft maintenance under the present regime is almost double, how?

It is felt that the secular brigade is trying to create an issue out of a non-issue. No one stopped Manmohan Singh from visiting foreign countries. He did not do so out of his own choice. The Congress, even now, does not understand the difference between costs incurred on the international travel/visits of the Indian PM and pocketing of state funds for own personal use. It considers both to be the same and is desperately trying to conjure a "scam" out of thin air. They are twisting facts and presenting everything as anti-Modi (and anti-Hindu in other contexts).

Modi spends less than the former PM is the important point because there is a widespread perception that Modi spends a lot on travel. The media has the responsibility to present 'facts and place them in context'. In general, we can understand why the press is against Modi. The achievements from foreign visits of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in all respects more prominent and beneficial for the country. The mutual relationship between the countries Modi visited and India, is found to be economically productive and India became closer in attracting the foreign investments. The expenses incurred in chartered flights by the present Prime Minister is justified.

Despite recent decline in public perceptions in India, Modi foreign tours definitely raised India profile. He is the first Prime Minister who held road shows and open houses in football stadiums at London and New York. The important measure beyond the numbers is, if India influence and perceptions are improved.