Remarks on PAC’s work pace breach of privilege: Minister

NEW DELHI - Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal Wednesday took exception to some opposition members questioning the pace of work of parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), and termed it a breach of privilege.

Let me say it on record. It is a breach of privilege of the committee… senior leaders are trying to thwart the working of committee, Bansal told reporters here.

Referring to reported remarks of some opposition members about the PAC’s pace of work, Bansal said: It is disconcerting and intriguing that senior leaders have expressed resentment over so-called fast-track work of the PAC.

The PAC, which is headed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member Murli Manohar Joshi, is looking at the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on the 2G spectrum allocation controversy. The committee held a meeting Tuesday.

The opposition has forced adjournment of parliament for 18 successive days over its demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the 2G spectrum controversy. However, the government has rejected the demand, saying that the PAC was already looking at the CAG report on the issue.

The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance leaders have voiced concern that Murli Manohar Joshis overdrive may come to the aid of the Congress in defending its decision not to agree to a JPC.

Bansal also flayed the opposition for stalling proceedings of parliament. He said if the disruption continued till Dec 13, when the winter session is due to come to an end, it will be a record in Indian Parliament.