Services hit due to shortage of staff in Indian embassy in Qatar

Dubai, Dec 19 (UNI) The operations of Indian embassy in Qatar have been severely hit by staff shortage prompting the Indian community to demand posting of adequate number of officials.

The embassy is forced to cut the timings of consular services by an hour, causing resentment among Indian expatriates.

Ambassador Dr George Joseph said no solution is possible unless the mission gets more staff.

Recently Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed and Minister for Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Affairs Vayalar Ravi said in Doha that the government would soon appoint additional staff, but nothing had happened since then, The Peninsula reported.

Mr Joseph said the staff strength remained the same as it was 12 years ago, even though the demand for consular services had doubled over this period.

On an average, the mission gets 200 applications a day for consular services.

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