Unstarred Question No 2966
To be answered on20.4.2000
COUNTERFEIT CURRENCY UNDER 'TOPAC' SCHEME
SHRI P. SOUNDARARAJAN:
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether Government are aware of reports that ISI Pakistan is engaged in printing counterfeit Indian currency in huge quantity to flood Indian market with such currency under a scheme code name 'Topac';
(b) whether the attention of Government has been drawn to reports that a Pakistan deployment posted with the Pakistan Embassy in Kathmandu was caught red handed by the Nepal police with counterfeit Indian currency recently; and
(c) what action has been taken by the Government to check ISI activities from endangering Indian economy?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI AJIT KUMAR PANJA)
(a)-(c) Government is aware of reports that Pakistan is engaged in the printing of counterfeit Indian currency.
A staff member of the Pakistan Embassy in Nepal was caught red handed in Kathmandu in January 2000 while passing off counterfeit Indian currency to an undercover officer of the Nepal police. Government of Nepal asked the Pakistani staff member to leave the
country within 72 hours on account of his involvement in an activity incompatible with his status.
Government remain vigilant about these activities.