The (official) Indian perspective on the Devyani case

Rashmun wrote:Officials joked sourly that at $ 9.75 an hour in New York ($ 8.25 in Washington DC) plus overtime, any local labor they employ will earn more than the diplomats considered the hours they will be needed, while contesting the general impression that foreign postings are lavishly paid. The salaries are modest, they insist, and in fact it is the perks such as taking domestic help abroad that makes such postings tolerable they say.

In fact, federal minimum wages in the US, which is stuck at $ 7.25 since 2009, is poised to go up to $ 10 soon (some states like NY will mandate more in keeping with higher costs)

''Which Indian would pay a help Rs 6500 ($ 100) a day?'' asked Shakti Sinha, a former principal secretary in the government of India who did various stints abroad, including at the World Bank and various UN agencies, assuming eight normal working hours. Nevertheless, Sinha is for withdrawing the privilege of taking Indian help abroad while complying with local laws. At the same time, he says, New Delhi should also not ''spare any US diplomat who is even close to breaking any Indian domestic law.'' The suggestion here is that New Delhi does not similarly enforce its domestic laws strictly against foreign diplomats and officials.

Indeed, Indian officials say foreign diplomats in India, including US officials, will be on weak ground if New Delhi took their various infractions seriously but the Indian view is that diplomatic niceties need to be observed. They are incensed that in the case of Khobragade, the young mother of two was jumped on and handcuffed by US authorities when she was dropping her daughters to school. ''It was not as if she is a terrorist or proven criminal and was about to flee or was endangering lives,'' one official fumed. ''It could have been handled better.''

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Khobhra-gate-in-NYC-may-end-nanny-service-for-Indian-diplomats/articleshow/27372505.cms

Rashmun wrote:The two main arguments of the Indian officials are:

1. Since the consulate arranges for apartment rent, medical expenses, food, travel to India, etc. this altogether comes to around $4,500 per month when added to the salary the maid was getting.

2. When European and American diplomats commit infractions in India, the authorities look the other way out of diplomatic courtesy.

Another argument is that Devyani's salary is $4,000 per month and so how can she give $4,500 per month to the maid.

Marathadi-Saamiyaar wrote:

Rashmun wrote:The two main arguments of the Indian officials are:

1. Since the consulate arranges for apartment rent, medical expenses, food, travel to India, etc. this altogether comes to around $4,500 per month when added to the salary the maid was getting.

2. When European and American diplomats commit infractions in India, the authorities look the other way out of diplomatic courtesy.

Another argument is that Devyani's salary is $4,000 per month and so how can she give $4,500 per month to the maid.

Here is my rebuttal:

1. Did they explain as such in the contracts and documents when they filed papers for the Maid's visa?

2. ....my answers to Cutie Devyani:....  do the housework yourself if you cannot afford 4500? Besides, she is loaded. There are scores of young mothers with 2 children who work and take care of homes.  Ask her husband to accompany her and help her with the chores.

*Where is her husband and how is life if she is posted overseas all the time?

Rashmun wrote:

Marathadi-Saamiyaar wrote:

Rashmun wrote:The two main arguments of the Indian officials are:

1. Since the consulate arranges for apartment rent, medical expenses, food, travel to India, etc. this altogether comes to around $4,500 per month when added to the salary the maid was getting.

2. When European and American diplomats commit infractions in India, the authorities look the other way out of diplomatic courtesy.

Another argument is that Devyani's salary is $4,000 per month and so how can she give $4,500 per month to the maid.

Here is my rebuttal:

1. Did they explain as such in the contracts and documents when they filed papers for the Maid's visa?

2. ....my answers to Cutie Devyani:....  do the housework yourself if you cannot afford 4500? Besides, she is loaded. There are scores of young mothers with 2 children who work and take care of homes.  Ask her husband to accompany her and help her with the chores.

*Where is her husband and how is life if she is posted overseas all the time?

what about the fact that Indian authorities do not prosecute european and north american diplomats--when they do something illegal while being in India-- out of diplomatic courtesy?

truthbetold wrote:
Indian govt pays millions to maintain embassy. Why cringe on few thousands of dollars?

goodcitizn wrote:

truthbetold wrote:
Indian govt pays millions to maintain embassy. Why cringe on few thousands of dollars?

The way I read it, it appears that she underpaid her maid from the allotted amount funded by the Indian govt. It doesn't seem like the embassy was stiffing anyone.

goodcitizn wrote:1. Why do these bureaucrats need maids from India? Let them hire local nannies like everybody else. If the Indian govt is supposed to foot the bill for such help, let them be paid directly by the office and not by the individual so such frauds are prevented.

2. The Indian Consulate has outsourced all the paperwork to agencies like BLS International so what is the work that an Asst Consulate General actually do? These people are overpaid to begin with with housing, utilities, conveyance etc in addition to their salaries. Total waste of taxpayers money.

Marathadi-Saamiyaar wrote:Yet another proof that is it the OBC, BC, SC/ST who OVERWHELMINGLY abuse and exploit other low-caste people.

If it is true that she pocketed part of the allotted Perk, then fry her. In India, the prosecutor, Judges, and everyone else have housemaids and do the same intra-looting, and she will escape.

Preet baraara for Mayor of NYC...Zindabad..!!!