"Only the minister's travelling expenses will be borne by the government. Accommodation, boarding and hospitality will be borne by the American Telugu Association (ATA)," State Information and Public Relations Commissioner R V Chandravadan said in a statement here today.
It may be recalled that the state government had issued statement yesterday stating that the "entire expenditure" of the trip to Atlanta shall be borne by it.
While the conference is only for three days from July 6, the minister has been permitted to stay in the US till 18th though there is no other "official" purpose.
The media highlighted this, leading to criticism of the government for permitting such a long trip when it has imposed a ban on foreign travel by ministers and bureaucrats.
"The minister is attending the conference as a representative of the AP government. It is customary to send a minister to such conferences to inspire Telugu people living abroad," the State Information Commissioner said.
The expenditure incurred on the minister's foreign trip would not be a burden on the state exchequer, he added.
