Question : Corruption by Diplomats and Staff

(a) the number of diplomats, lower ranking employees and officers or the staff employed on contract basis at the local level who came under monitoring under various charges including corruption;

(b) the details thereof, post and mission-wise;

(c) the number of diplomats who have been recalled/ suspended/ chargesheeted/ sent on leave after the various charges against them were proved; and

(d) the steps take/being taken by the Government to ensure compliance of code of conduct by the diplomats in various missions abroad?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) to (d) The number of employees of Ministry of External Affairs including its Missions/ Posts abroad currently facing disciplinary proceedings on charges of corruption is 24, which includes 01 staff employed on contract basis at local level. Since the disciplinary proceedings are under process, no further details can be disclosed.

As the officials of the Ministry of External Affairs represent the country abroad, the Ministry attaches utmost importance to probity and follows the policy of zero tolerance towards cases involving corruption and violation of conduct rules of the Government. On receipt of any complaint, investigations are carried on priority and suitable penalty is imposed if charges are proved. Ministry also strictly enforces preventive vigilance by way of issuing and reiterating extant rules and guidelines, conducting periodic inspections in Missions/Posts abroad and extending full cooperation to investigating agencies as and when required.

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