MEA made no payments for S M Krishna's private visit

NEW DELHI: External Affairs Ministry did not make any payment for the private stay or travel of its minister S M Krishna during his visit to Britain in June this year, his office said here today.

The External Affairs Minister's office said the payment was made by the Minister himself and it is clearly mentioned in the official files.

The clarification came in the wake of Central Information Commission directing the External Affairs Ministry to make public details of "private visit" undertaken by Krishna to the United Kingdom after an RTI applicant sought to know.

The RTI applicant said he was denied information. Sources said the Ministry would have never refused details of the travel if the applicant had asked specifically.

It refused information only with regard to questions regarding Krishna's talks with dignitaries there, they said.

Based on media reports that Krishna got his five-day visit in June this year extended to watch a Wimbeldon match, the RTI activist had sought to know from the Ministry complete information on purpose of the trip and file notings made while planning it.