NEW DELHI: The most gifted minister in the NDA government seems to be Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar. A frequent flyer on MEA miles, he has deposited the maximum number of official presents received in the government’s toshakhana (treasure trove) in the July-September financial quarter. A distant second is Minister of State for Commerce & Industry Nirmala Sitharaman, who has given up 15 gifts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s contribution to the MEA’s treasure chest in the same period is down by three-fourths from the previous quarter—from 45 to 13. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj received 10 gifts. A total of 84 gifts were deposited with the MEA over the three months.
As per protocol all gifts received by the Prime Minister and other officials from overseas have to be deposited in the Toshkhana for evaluation.
The MEA has its own rate of valuation done by dedicated personnel. Recipients are allowed to keep gifts, worth less than Rs 5,000. If it exceeds the limit, recipients can retain the present only after paying extra.
Modi has kept with him all items valued under Rs 5,000, from flowerpots to silver artifacts.
The most expensive gift he has received is a Sturmanskie wrist watch worth Rs 25,000, which he has deposited in the toshakhana. Swaraj has deposited all the gifts she got irrespective of their value.
M J Akbar has kept back a metal tray, a gold plated jar and an engraved stone fish.
The most expensive gift deposited in the treasure chest this quarter is a Rolex Oyster watch given up by Vinay Kwatra, Joint Secretary to the PM. It is valued at Rs 1,60,000. MEA Joint Secretary M Subbarayuddu received an Apple I Pad Air with accessories worth Rs 37,000. He has deposited Rs 32 000 to keep them.