The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday, 30 December, called as "factually incorrect" reports that Indian Ambassador to Austria Renu Pall has been recalled following allegations of misuse of government funds.
Responding to a query, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said transfer of the officer back to the headquarters of the ministry was an administrative decision.
"Reports that India's Ambassador to Austria has been recalled to headquarters are factually incorrect. The decision to transfer the officer back to headquarters was an administrative one. The distortion of facts related to this matter is mischievous," he said.
Earlier, IANS reported that Pall was recalled by the MEA for financial irregularities and misuse of government funds. The report alleged that Pall rented an apartment for herself at Rs 15 lakh per month and was being recalled.
An Indian Foreign Service officer of 1988 batch, Pall was to complete her tenure in Austria next month.
The report claimed that as per investigation ordered by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and conducted by the Ministry of External Affairs, she "incurred huge expenditure to the tune of crores of rupees on the government residence without the permission of the ministry".
(With inputs from IANS and PTI)
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