Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (File photo)

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cautioned his ministers against staying in five-star hotels and availing of any benefit from public sector undertakings attached to their ministries, including using their cars.

Shortly after a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Modi asked the ministers to stay back and then read the riot act to them. He is understood to have said that he was extremely unhappy with the recent tendency of some ministers’ preference to stay in five-star hotels instead of accommodation that the government provides. The PM made it clear to the ministers that they should stick to government accommodation while on official duty and not give into the “temptation” of staying in five star hotels, sources said.

He also told his ministers that he was unhappy with reports of some of them using vehicles from public sector undertakings under their ministries. The PM made it clear that he would not tolerate any misuse of vehicles of PSUs, either by ministers or their families.

The PM is learnt to have minced few words as he expressed concern over the signs that some ministers may have begun to use the perks of office. This has created a commotion with several ministers instructing their staff to ensure that no vehicles from PSUs are included for personal use. The ministers have also asked their personal staff to ensure that no “perks” from PSUs are entertained for personal use.

The PM is learnt to have made it clear that he will brook no compromise with his ‘zero tolerance to corruption’ stance. With two years to go for the 2019 general elections, the PM should be keen to ensure to maintain the “scam-free” image of the government.

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