1. MEA’s budget has remained less than 1 % of the total budget of the GOI’s budget which needs a fillip with the kind of activities it has to undertake. Out of total budget, Establishment expenditures have been consistently below 30%. Around 25% of the Establishment Expenditure is used for Central Passport Organization. Of Non-establishment expenditures, Aid (Grant plus Loans) which is major head standing at around 58%, is facing shortfall of about 3900 crores.
2. MEA is working on strategic connectivity, shaping choices and balancing interests & creating goodwill by various development projects, humanitarian assistance and aids to friendly countries, innovative diplomatic outreach and partnerships. Development partnership of about 27.7 billion dollars is in place at present with various countries under India’s Neighborhood First and Act East policies. To increase the outreach and efforts towards such partnerships, 18 new missions are to be opened by 2022 in various countries which need additional resources.
3. MEA is working vigorously to enhance public service delivery through a network of 322 Passport Centers (including Post Office – PSKs) across the country, up from mere 77 passport centers in 2014 with excellence. Post Office Passport SevaKendras, launched in January 2017, have been a major policy decision for last mile coverage. MEA has a target of Passport Centre in every parliament Constituency in future.
4. As part of its outreach to the Indian diaspora as well as Indian citizens, MEA has stared various programmes like Bharat Ek Parichay, Know India Programme, Pradesh Me Videsh and SAMEEP.
Chairman and Members tried to understand the trade relations of India across the globe, its challenges and efforts done to enhance this. Overall, Commission was given an understanding of the challenges in matching India’s diplomatic power with India’s economic power as world’s fastest growing emerging economy in 21st Century – The Asian Century.Following today’s preliminary meeting, more such meetings and consultations will be held between the Ministry and the Commission.