(a) whether expensive gifts received from foreign dignitaries, etc. are languishing in the Ministry’s gift treasury/Toshakhana for the past several years and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Union Government has any plans to auction these gift items to the general public;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]
(a) No, the gifts received from the foreign dignitaries are kept in Toshakhana for safe custody. Some of the expensive gifts received from the foreign dignitaries have been sent to the National Museum for appropriate display from time to time. Several important gifts have been displayed at the Official Residence of the Prime Minister and in this Ministry.
(b) to (d) No. These gifts cannot be auctioned to general public as per Toshakhana Rules of 1967.