The
Centre has directed banks to allow embassy officials with identity cards to
withdraw money on a priority following protests from diplomats over cash
withdrawal limits imposed since November 9. The directive came after a meeting
between Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and the Dean of Diplomatic Corps, Hans
Dannenberg Castellanos, in New Delhi on Thursday.
“They discussed the issues raised by foreign
missions and how best to address them,” a diplomatic source said. ET was the
first to report on the cash crunch embassies were facing. After successive
letters from Castellanos did not make any impact, except formation of a task
force, the Russian ambassador lodged a strong protest with the MEA.
MEA
spokesperson Vikas Swarup said MEA “has received communications from some
embassies about the problems they face in the context of the demonetisation of
high value notes…. the ministry has been in discussion with concerned
authorities in the government on this matter.” The Finance Ministry is being
asked to issue directives to banks to allow embassy officials with identity
cards to withdraw money on a priority basis, Swarup said. “We are confident
that the missions would bear with the temporary difficulties that arise in the process, even as we seek to address their concerns,” he said. The Russian government sources, however, said that the limit of `50,000 for withdrawal has not yet been altered.
By Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury, ET Bureau | Updated: Dec 09, 2016, 12.48 AM IST
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