An RTI (Right to Information) response has revealed that neither current Prime Minister Narendra Modi nor the late former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh used government funds for Diwali celebrations during their time in office.
The RTI inquiry was filed in November 2024 by Pune-based activist Prafful Sarda, who requested information regarding the annual Diwali festival expenditures by both Prime Ministers. Dr. Singh, who passed away on December 26, 2024, was specifically mentioned in the query alongside PM Modi.
In its response, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) clarified on January 3 that no public funds were allocated for personal expenses of either leader. "Personal expenses of the prime minister are not borne on government accounts. The PMO does not spend any money on the PM's personal expenses," said Parvesh Kumar, Under Secretary and Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) at the PMO.
This clarification comes amid controversy surrounding Prime Minister Modi’s gift of a 7.5-carat diamond to US First Lady Jill Biden during his 2023 visit. The gift sparked international debate when US authorities valued the diamond at USD 20,000. However, India’s Ministry of External Affairs later clarified that the actual value was far lower, estimating it to be under Rs 2 lakh, as it was lab-grown.