Foreign missions of Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Ethiopia and Sudan have sent letters to the Centre protesting against the cash withdrawal restrictions that are part of its demonetisation drive, The Economic Times reported on Tuesday. In his letter, dated December 2, to the Ministry of External Affairs, Russian ambassador Alexander Kadakin said the restrictions had severely affected the New Delhi embassy’s functioning as the withdrawal limit was not even enough to “pay for a decent dinner in a restaurant”.

Kadakin had said, “The State Bank of India had informed the embassy that the cash withdrawal limit is now Rs 50,000 per week, with no exceptions unless otherwise advised by the Reserve Bank of India. Such an amount is totally inadequate,” the English daily reported.

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The report quoted unidentified Russian embassy officials, who said the withdrawal limits restrictions reduces expenditure on the 200-strong staff (not including families) to Rs 250 per week per staffer. While a task force was set up by the Ministries of External Affairs and Finance, the diplomatic missions have urged the Indian government for an immediate redressal of their problems. Officials said Indian diplomats may face similar restrictions in their nations if the curbs continue.

Pakistan had alleged that diplomats in its High Commission in Delhi were not allowed to withdraw their salaries from the bank and claimed it was a violation of the Vienna convention. On November 4, India refuted the allegations and said that while the matter “had nothing to do with the government”, it had been resolved.

Since demonetisation, there has been an increased demand for dollars and other foreign currency, reported PTI. On November 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes will not be legal tender anymore.