Diplomats to withdraw cash on priority basis

New Delhi, December 8

In response to the growing critique of demonetisation by the embassies based here, the government today said diplomats could now withdraw cash on a priority basis. The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps toady met Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and “both discussed the issues raised by foreign missions and how best to address them”.

The reaction by the MEA follows the outburst by Russian Ambassador to India Alexander Kadakin two days ago. The Russian envoy had written to the ministry protesting that the cash crunch was making it difficult to run the embassy having a staff of over 200.

MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup said the Finance Ministry had been asked to issue directives to banks to allow embassy officials with identity cards to withdraw money on a priority basis. — TNS