'US may be violating own laws on wages for its Indian staff'

The deadline to provide such information was December 23 but according to the Ministry of External Affairs no information has been provided as yet.

It is understood that the US Embassy has cited Christmas and New Year holidays as the reason for the delay.

The government's action is a fallout of the arrest and strip-search of Deputy Consul General Devyani Khobragade, who was arrested in New York on visa fraud charges.  

Enforcing strict reciprocity, Indian government has withdrawn extra privilges enjoyed by American Ambassador Nancy Powell and other diplomats such as special access at Indian airports.

While the government is awaiting American response, information available indicates that Indian staff like cooks and drivers was being paid between Rs 12000-15000 which is equivalent to USD 200-250, way below the minimum wage of USD 9.47 per hour applicable in New York or in any other US city.