Govt raises fund allocation on embassies abroad

New Delhi: A budgetary allocation of Rs400 crore for purchase and construction of offices and residential buildings of embassies and missions abroad was made by the government in the next fiscal, Rs100 crore more than this fiscal.

The government has provided for a budget of Rs275 crore towards acquisition/construction of office buildings for embassies and missions abroad during 2009-10 in the interim budget announced on Tuesday, against Rs200 crore in 2008-09.

Similarly, the budget for acquisition/construction of residential buildings for overseas embassies and missions has been increased to Rs125 crore for 2009-10, from Rs100 crore in 2008-09.

The government has also increased the budget for building residential accommodation for police, office and residential buildings by Central Public Works Department as also for the purchase of ready-built office and residential buildings for Central Board of Direct Taxes.

However, the budget has been cut down for purchase of ready-built office and residential buildings for Central Board of Excise and Customs.

The government would also be spending Rs25 crore for construction of buildings for Armed Forces Tribunal in 2009- 10, against Rs23.71 crore in the current fiscal.