Indian consulate faces staff shortage in Dubai

Dubai, Apr 30 (UNI) The Indian Consulate in Dubai has admitted that consular services to the roughly one million Indians in the United Arab Emirates have been severely crippled by an acute shortage of staff.

While the Indian community regularly complains about the poor quality of service and ill-treatment by consular staff, diplomats working in the consulate say they are under non stop pressure every day due to a lack of staff.

The Consulate General of India (CGI), Dubai provides services to Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.

The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi offers consular services to Indians in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

A senior official at the consulate who requested anonymity said there is an acute shortage of manpower in the consulate.

"The number of visitors to the consulate is very high and there are less than 100 staff to handle all the work required for a million-strong Indian community." The Indian Finance Ministry said the consulate required 40 more people to handle the work it currently undertakes.

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