(a) whether foreign office establishment has grown enormously over the years as reported in the Hindustan Times dated July 06, 2001;
(b) if so, the facts of the matter reported therein; and
(c) the remedial steps proposed to be taken in this regard?
(a) whether foreign office establishment has grown enormously over the years as reported in the Hindustan Times dated July 06, 2001;
(b) if so, the facts of the matter reported therein; and
(c) the remedial steps proposed to be taken in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI OMAR ABDULLAH)
(a) No, Sir.
(b) and (c) The Ministry of External Affairs is conscious of the need to economise and all expenditure at Headquarters and Missions/Posts abroad is subject to check by by Audit authorities. The Ministry reviews, on a regular basis, the manpower requirements of Headquarters and of Missions/Posts abroad keeping in view the dynamics of foreign policy objectives in different parts of the globe. Eleven Missions have been closed down in the course of the last decade with a view to cutting down on expenditure. 175 posts in different grades have been abolished in Missions/Posts abroad during the course of the last one year.
The Ministry has also been actively pursuing a policy of purchase/construction of properties abroad with a view to curtailing expenditure on hiring of residential accommodation. The Ministry has also taken various steps, in line with Ministry of Finance guidelines, to economise expenditure, viz a 10% cut in the non-plan/non-salary expenditure, 25% reduction in rates of DA for local tours by officers abroad and a complete ban on purchase of new vehicles.