US envoys misusing duty-free privileges
Govt says privilege to purchase duty-free goods at the commissary is being used by non-diplomats.
New Delhi: The government says that the diplomatic privilege given to the US embassy to import duty-free goods was being misused as the facility was extended to non-diplomats too.
Allowing non-diplomats access to duty-free imports is just one of several matters that will be scrutinised by a working-level group constituted by the government.
The working group comprises officials specialising in international law, human resources, international organisations and finance, among others.
The group, which meets on Monday, will also be keeping an eye on Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade’s case.
A freeze on the import of duty-free goods by the US embassy was imposed as a reciprocal measure by the government recently following the arrest and humiliation of Khobragade in New York earlier this month for alleged visa fraud.
The privilege to purchase duty-free goods at the commissary located within the premises of the US embassy in the capital is meant for use only by diplomats, said sources. The ceiling on commissary purchases, including liquor, is $100 per week.
The freeze on imports has been ordered to stem the commercial use of duty-free privileges to cater to persons other than diplomats, said sources.
It’s clear that the government intends to pursue the Khobragade issue. Yet another message India appears to be conveying is that if the US sought to use laws to act against Khobragade, then India too can do the same.
The information on the salaries paid by the embassy and its consulates to its Indian staff is still trickling in.