Par panel express concern over reduction in MEA budget

A Parliamentary committee has expressed concern over the "unprecedented" reduction in the budgetary allocation of External Affairs Ministry, saying it was distressing to see "lukewarm" attitude of the government, especially Finance ministry, towards conduct of the country's foreign policy.
"The Committee is concerned to note that in spite of the intervention made at the level of External Affairs Minister, the situation was not improved. The Committee is unhappy to note that even at the supplementary stage, no cash supplementary was provided initially to the Ministry," the panel said.
In its sixth report on 'Demands for Grants', the Standing Committee on External Affairs said it had recommended to MEA to vigorously pursue substantially enhanced allocations at Revised Estimates (RE) stage for 2014-15.

"The Committee, however, is dismayed to note that instead of increasing the allocation, in an unprecedented move, the budgetary allocation of the MEA was reduced by Rs 2,110.39 crore at RE stage," the report said.
It was particularly dismayed to note that there was substantial reduction in allocation at the RE stage when there were several visits by Head of Government/Minister of External Affairs and there was requirement of more resources by the Missions/Posts concerned, it said.
"The Committee is distressed to take note of the lukewarm attitude of the government of India and in particular the Ministry of Finance towards the conduct of India's foreign policy and hope that this approach will change during the current financial year," it added.