Top diplomats have sent warnings to the central government that tourists, especially those coming for medical treatment to India are suffering due to the government’s demonetization move.
Hans Dannenberg Castellanos, Ambassador for the Dominican Republic told CNN-News18 that “India’s leadership in medical tourism might be affected as a lot of people are not able to exchange currency, pay bills, take taxis and pay for foods".
Castellanos who is also the senior most ambassadors in India and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps has received distress calls from almost all heads of mission in Delhi. He says, “European countries are very concerned as many of their tourists are unable to enter monuments as they either have old notes or big notes of the new currency".
Warning the government about the possible impact tourism industry he said, “If people come to India and have a sour experience then they will give bad feedback to others. India has done a great job in encouraging tourists with the e-visa scheme but we are worried that this problem may dampen the mood".
The Dominican Ambassador is not alone. Afghan Ambassador Shaida Mohammad Abdali has also sent an SOS to the MEA and the Finance Ministry about the adverse impact on Afghan nationals coming to India for medical procedures.
Abdulhaq Azad, the Press Counsellor at the Afghanistan embassy said, “We are getting stories of an Afghan national who went hungry for two days. Many people are not able to get their dollars converted due to lack of new currency in the market."
According to sources in the Bangladesh government thousands of Bangladeshis who come to Kolkata for medical treatment are stuck with medical and hotel bills. They say many of their citizens are being forced to exchange their old one thousand rupee notes in the black market where they get eight 100 rupee notes in return for one 1000 rupee note.
The Press Minister at the Bangladesh Embassy said, “It seems the Indian government has totally ignored impact on tourists who have especially come to India for treatment".
The Dominican Ambassador has already written to the MEA about problems being faced by tourists and diplomatic staff. In his letter he has suggested that withdrawal limits for diplomats must be raised as their day to day functioning is being affected.
“Many diplomats complain they can’t pay their staff, can’t travel and have had to cancel functions as well". He along with other diplomats is planning to write to the Prime Minister’s Office and seek an audience with him.
After receiving recommendations from various missions, the foreign ministry has got in touch with the ministry of finance. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Vikas Swarup confirmed that the Department of Economic Affairs has now formed an inter-ministerial committee to look into their demands.
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