This Article is From Apr 18, 2015

No Information on Cost of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Wardrobe, Says His Office in Reply to RTI Query

No Information on Cost of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Wardrobe, Says His Office in Reply to RTI Query

Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves as he arrives in Ottawa, Canada. (Agence France-Presse)

New Delhi: The Prime Minister's Office says it has no information about the cost incurred on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's wardrobe.

Replying to a query under the Right to Information Act, the Prime Minister's Office said it had no record of the information sought by applicant Rohit Kumar.

"It is your contention that the expenses on the prime minister's wardrobe were met by the government, then the information sought might be held as part of government records. It is noted that the CPIO (Central Public Information Officer), PMO has clearly stated that no records are available," the reply said.

"Given that where no records are available and existing with regard to the matter in hand in office, to contend that PMO should provide the information is not correct," it said.

Rohit Kumar said the same stand was taken by the First Appellate Authority when he decided to appeal against the reply.

"My argument is that if the expenditure incurred on prime minister's wardrobe is met out of the government's treasure then it must be the part of record since no government's official should be permitted to dissipate the exchequer's money without keeping its proper records. It is mandatory to keep the records of the exchequer's money," he said.
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