Govt dismissive of PAC draft report

Incensed by the leak of a draft report of Public Accounts Committee prepared by Chairman MM Joshi, the government on Wednesday was dismissive about it and targeted him, saying he was acting as a BJP member rather than the chief of the Parliamentary panel.

Incensed by the leak of a draft report of Public Accounts Committee prepared by Chairman MM Joshi, the government on Wednesday was dismissive about it and targeted him, saying he was acting as a BJP member rather than the chief of the Parliamentary panel.

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"This is not a report of PAC but that of Joshi...One should understand the difference. The PAC is meeting tomorrow," a senior minister said when asked to react to the report which has raised questions on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and criticised P Chidambaram in his previous portfolio as finance minister.

Another minister said Joshi "has been acting like a BJP member rather than the Chairman of PAC."

Noting that the PAC Chairman is "one among equals" who is appointed by Lok Sabha Speaker, the minister said "the members of the PAC have been routinely complaining that they have never been given the agenda of the PAC meetings."

Even the information coming from the telecom ministry was never shared with the members, the minister said citing the refrain of PAC members.

The PAC is meeting on Thursday with an intention of adopting the report, two days ahead of the end of the Committee's term.