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MPs award free air travel to kin

New Delhi: A bill to provide for free air travel within the country to companions and relatives of Ministers, in addition to their family members, Tuesday received a Parliamentary approval without a debate. The Salaries and Allowances of Ministers (Amendment) Bill was approved by the Rajya Sabha without discussion. Deputy Chairman K Rehman Khan said that it was agreed so in the business advisory committee. The bill also was passed by Lok Sabha on December 18 without a debate. The bill entitles Ministers to take along "any number of companions or relatives" by air but is subject to a maximum of 48 such fares per year. This brings the Ministers on par with the facilities given to MPs. "A Minister shall be entitled to an amount equal to the fare for a single journey performed by him, during each year, within India, either alone or along with spouse or legitimate or step-children, residing with and wholly dependent on him, or any number of companions or relatives, at the same rates at which travelling allowance is payable to such minister... subject to maximum of 48 such fares per year," the bill said. The Statement of the Objects and Reasons of the bill said it proposed to end the discrepancy between Ministers and MPs. It also provides that the spouse or legitimate or step-children residing with and wholly dependent on the minister may undertake such journey alone.

                                                                                                               
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