MPs’ panel rules out summoning Modi on demonetisation

The Public Accounts Committee of Parliament on Friday ruled out possibility of summoning Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue of demonetisation.

Referring to the Speaker’s directions related to the rules overseeing financial committees and those concerning summoning Prime Minister and ministers, the Public Accounts Committee in a release said: “Ministers shall not be called before the Committee either to give evidence or consultation in connection with the examination of estimates of accounts.”

“However, Chairperson, when considered necessary but after its deliberations are concluded, may have an informal interaction with the minister,” the official release said.
PAC Chairman K.V. Thomas on January 9, after he was quoted by media reports as saying that Modi could be summoned to explain demonetisation, had clarified that “there is no such precedent” to call the Prime Minister before the PAC.

“There is no convention like that. The committee would take decision on what to do after hearing from Reserve Bank of India Governor Urjit Patel and other government officials,” he said.