Taking note of Members of Parliament allegedly misusing their diplomatic passports for work and business, the External Affairs Ministry has issued a circular seeking to put an end to the malpractice.
Diplomatic passports are issued to lawmakers going abroad on diplomatic assignments as also to their spouses accompanying them.
In a letter to Parliament, the ministry has made it clear that these can be used for personal visits as well but not conducting any business or professional work as a lawyer, doctor or a businessperson.
"While diplomatic passports can be used for private visits like tourism or visiting friends and relatives, they are not meant to be used when travelling abroad for work and business," the letter said.
It also makes it clear that an MP with a diplomatic passport does not get a right to visit any country, no matter even if the ministry sends a visa note for their visit.
"While issuing visa notes addressed to foreign Missions, the purpose of visit is specified, viz official or private. However, it remains the prerogative of the foreign missions to grant or decline visa to an applicant, regardless of the visa note from this Ministry,' the letter added.
