Congress leader seeks action against six Chief Secretaries for PAC absence

The Congress leader and PAC chair Venugopal has written to the Speaker seeking appropriate action against Chief Secretaries from six states who did not attend a mandatory committee hearing despite being formally summoned.

Venugopal contended that the absence of these senior bureaucratic officials from the scheduled PAC proceedings constitutes a breach of privilege of Parliament. The non-appearance of summoned witnesses before a parliamentary committee is typically regarded as a serious procedural violation.

The Chair's letter to the Speaker represents an escalation of the matter, moving it from the committee level to the legislative body's highest officer. Parliamentary convention requires officials summoned before parliamentary committees to attend unless they obtain prior permission or present valid reasons for their absence.

This development underscores the ongoing tension between parliamentary oversight mechanisms and the executive branch's responsiveness to such proceedings. The PAC's ability to summon and question officials is central to its constitutional role in financial oversight and accountability.

The Speaker's office is expected to examine the matter and determine what remedial action, if any, should be taken against the defaulting Chief Secretaries.