Public Accounts Committee of Parliament to take up AgustaWestland issue

New Delhi: Public Accounts Committee of Parliament headed by senior Congress leader K V Thomas, which was reconstituted this week, is likely to take up the contentious AgustaWestland case, an issue which has created a political firestorm both within and outside Parliament.

The panel is also likely to continue with its inquiry into some aspects of 2G scam, Commonwealth Games scam and the issue of burgeoning Non Performing Assets (NPAs) of Public Sector Banks, which had been gone into by the last PAC, whose term ended on April 30.

A member of the committee, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the panel is likely to take up the chopper scam as the Comptroller and Auditor General had made some adverse comments against it in its report in the past which is already with Parliament.

"A decision on the issues to be taken up by the PAC this time will be finalized in our first meeting likely in a fortnight after the end of the session. We are keen that AgustaWestland issue is taken up and it will be taken up," the member said.

When contacted, the Chairman of the PAC K V Thomas, however, remained guarded.

Asked about the possibility of the PAC taking up AgustaWestland issue, Thomas said,"usually PAC takes up any issue the CAG has examined after it submits its report in Parliament. Sometimes the PAC takes any issue suo moto as well like the last PAC did in case of NPA," he said.

Pressed further whether the PAC will take up the AgustaWestland issue, Thomas evaded a direct reply, saying "All these issues will be decided when the PAC meets.