PAC rejects chief’s call, says PM need not depose

Referring to the Speaker’s directions related to the rules overseeing financial committees and those concerning calling Prime Minister and Ministers, the committe said in a release, “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.”

BJP members including Nishikant Dubey, Bhupender Yadav and Kirit Somaiya raised the issue of Thomas’ statement and said the committee does not have powers to summon the Prime Minister. Dubey had earlier written to the Lok Sabha Speaker saying that Thomas’ remarks that Modi could be called to appear before it over the issue of demonetisation is “wrong, unethical and against laid out Parliamentary procedures”.

In the meeting, Thomas is believed to have clarified that what he meant was that the Committee can summon the Prime Minister if it takes a unanimous decision and cautioned against “killing the institution”.

Nepal too affected by note ban Meanwhile, Nepal on Friday said its people were facing a lot of hardship due to India’s demonetisation decision as high-value India currency notes were in large circulation and failure to resolve the problem soon may erode their faith in Indian government’s assurances.

A Nepalese delegation comprising top officials of Nepal’s Finance and Foreign ministries as well as Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) is currently holding talks with RBI and concerned Indian agencies to thrash out a solution to the problem, Nepalese Ambassador Deep Kumar Upadhyay said.

“People in Nepal are facing lot of difficulties. They are worried. I have pursued the issue at all levels including at the diplomatic level. I hope it will be solved soon. I am requesting the Government of India to resolve it as early as possible. Otherwise people may lose their faith in Government of Nepal and naturally in Government of India too,” Upadhyay said during an interaction at the Foreign Correspondents Club here.