Prez Patil's trips burn India's pocket, costs Rs 205 cr

New Delhi, Mar 27: President Pratibha Patil's foreign trips have cost the public exchequer a whopping Rs 205 crore.

After taking over the office becoming the country's first woman President, she took 12 foreign trips that covered 22 countries across four continents.

RTI applications also reveal that Air India airlines received over Rs 169 crore on the foreign visits by the President, who is mostly accompanied by her family members.

The ministry also revealed that the Ministry of External Affairs received atleast Rs 36 crore on travel, accomodation, "miscellaneous" expenses and daily allowances.

Air India has billed the Defence Ministry for over Rs 169 crore on account of aircraft used by Patil. Of this, the Ministry has paid nearly Rs 153 crore, leaving unpaid bills of over Rs 16 crore.

OneIndia News