"Availability of housing improved, pursuing ongoing projects": Centre on IFS officers posted in India

New Delhi [India], March 27 (ANI): The Centre on Thursday said in the Rajya Sabha that the Ministry of External Affairs accords the highest priority to ensure the well-being of Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officers, and additional resources have been made available to meet their functional requirements wherever needed.
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh informed this in a written reply to a query by Trinamool Congress MP Mohammed Nadimul Haque.
Haque asked the MEA about the data on India's diplomatic workforce IFS cadre currently employed by the Ministry, the total number of territorial and functional divisions currently operating within in the Ministry; and whether Government has taken any steps to improve the financial and infrastructural support for IFS officers posted in India, given that inadequate housing, limited allowances, and lower incentives make domestic postings less attractive, if so, the details thereof?
"As of February 1, 2025, the sanctioned strength of IFS 'A' officers in the Ministry is 1177. In addition, General Cadre of IFS 'B' is 2379, Stenographers' Cadre is 1209, Other Cadres is 1150, and Local Cadre is 3119," Kirti Vardhan Singh said.
The Minister of State also informed that the total number of territorial and functional divisions currently operating within MEA is 57.
"The Ministry accords highest priority to ensure the well-being of its human resources. Based on feedback from officers posted in India, additional resources and amenities, wherever warranted, have been made available to meet the functional requirements of officers. " The availability of housing has improved in recent years, and the Ministry is also pursuing ongoing projects to ensure adequate availability of housing," Kirti Singh said in the Rajya Sabha.
Earlier today, the Centre said in the Rajya Sabha that the Ministry of External Affairs has not hired any Indian Air Force (IAF), chartered or commercial civilian aircraft for Indian immigrants' repatriation from any country since 2020.
Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita informed this in a written reply to a query by Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale.
Gokhale asked the MEA, the details of all instances when the Ministry has used Indian Air Force or chartered/commercial civilian aircraft for repatriation of Indian immigrants being deported from other countries between 2020 till date.
"The Ministry of External Affairs has not hired any Indian Air Force or Chartered/Commercial Civilian aircraft for the purposes of repatriation of Indian immigrants being deported from any country since 2020. However, in a few exceptional cases, Indian immigrants facing deportation were assisted in returning home on a means-tested basis through the purchase of tickets on commercial flights," Margherita said. (ANI)