‘Cash starved’ Russian embassy lodges protest with MEA over demonetisation

A diplomatic crisis is building up between India and Russia over the financial crunch brought about in the aftermath of high value currency devaluation

New Delhi, Dec 7: The 'aam aadmi' is not alone in battling the cash crunch brought about in the wake of the demonetisation of the high value currency notes.

Russian diplomats working in India are also feeling the pinch.

The Embassy of the Russian Federation in New Delhi, has lodged a complaint with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) over the note ban, say reports.

Russian officials have urged the government to take immediate step to solve the issue.

The MEA, on its part, has referred the matter to the Department of Economic Affairs, Finance Ministry.

Ambassador Alexander Kadakin, in his letter to the MEA on December 2, has said the limit set by the government is 'not even enough to pay for a decent dinner' and totally inadequate for operational expenses.

The embassy, which has around 200 employees, is allowed to withdraw only Rs 50,000 a week since the demonetisation.

'How can such a large embassy in Delhi function without cash?' Kadakin asked the government in his letter.

On November 8, in a televised announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared the devaluation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes.

OneIndia News