Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chairman KV Thomas on Tuesday said the panel will submit its report on irregularities in KG Basin and maintenance of global assets of External Affairs Ministry soon. Thomas said the PAC is also finalising the reports on CAG’s findings on irregularities in purchase of medicines by Government departments, defence equipment purchase and violations by the archeological survey of India in site maintenance.
Addressing media here, Thomas said the PAC had completed the recording of evidences of private parties and the Government in the matter pertaining to Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance group’s KG basin and other gas sharing contracts. Detailing the irregularities in worldwide properties’ management by MEA in different countries like UK and France, the PAC Chairman said the committee found the explanations given by former Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh was “unsatisfactory.”
“She had no proof to substantiate the claims of the Ministry. So we have decided to call the new foreign secretary soon to explain the violations found by CAG. There are so many violations in the maintenance of Government of India’s assets across the globe,” he said. Thomas said the PAC is finishing its probe in the irregularities in the purchase of drugs by CGHS and several purchases in the Defence Ministry. “CAG has detailed several violations in these reports. We are in the different stages of evidence and verifying depositions of various parties. All these reports will be tabled to Parliament soon,” he said.
The PAC Chairman said the forthcoming meeting of the panel scheduled on May 28 will decide on the agenda and new subjects to be taken up for this year. He said the PAC is convening a meeting of PAC Chairmen of all State Assemblies on September. “We will discuss the various problems and style of functioning of PACs. The main problem we are facing is on the actions taken by the Government on our reports and delay in implementing the PAC’s suggestions and findings,” he pointed out.