Medical college project: PAC takes serious note of absence of Andaman's chief secretary

NEW DELHI: Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday took serious note of the absence of the Andaman and Nicobar chief secretary from its meeting and decided to seek an explanation.

PAC chairman KC Venugopal said the official, who had been summoned by the panel, informed the committee on Tuesday night that he would not attend the meeting. "He sought permission, which I did not grant," he said. He said the panel would seek explanation from the Union home secretary.

The panel discussed CAG audit observations relating to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences and the Chandigarh Welfare Board. Venugopal said the committee flagged "serious discrepancies" in the medical college project, noting that construction has been underway for 12 years. The PAC has asked the home secretary to explain the chief secretary's absence.