Room with a whew: city costly

Room with a whew: city costly
Cost Of Stay Per US Legislator Highest In IT Capital
The Times of India

Washington: You know India’s economic boom has gone over the top when the United States declares that Bangalore is more expensive than Paris, London and Tokyo when it comes to accommodating its diplomats.

In a dubious upgrade, the U S State Department’s per diem (allowance for legislators travelling for legislative work) for accommodation in two of India’s premier “boom’’ cities is among the highest in the world: $299 for Bangalore and $268 for Hyderabad.

In comparison, the per diem for accommodation in Paris and London is $261, and for Tokyo, widely regarded as the world’s most expensive city, it is a mere$ 189.

In India itself, the four metropolises where US missions are located are cheaper than the pulsating info-cities. It’s $214 for Mumbai, $195 for Delhi, $193 for Kolkata and $189 for Chennai.

Only Rome among major world cities is on par with Bangalore’s $ 299 per diem for accommodation.

Evidently, it’s just the shortage of hotel rooms and the rising costs thereof in India’s boom cities that has persuaded Uncle Sam to pony up top dollar for its mandarins. When it comes to meals and miscellaneous expenses, the Indian cities are still relatively cheap.

Bangalore is $299 plus $92 per day (for food and miscellaneous) for a total of $391 and Hyderabad is $268 plus $81 for a total of $349.

In contrast, the tab for Rome is $299 plus $168 for a total of $467, and for Paris it is $261 plus $142 for a total of $403 per day.