Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 22 2010:
The recalcitrance of a finance officer who has refused to respond to the summons of the House has been referred to the Privilege and Ethic Committee to inquire into it and to table a report to the House.
The matter was placed in the House by PAC chairman Radhabinod Koijam.
He said that during PAC's four-day meeting from December 6 to 10, he wrote a letter to the Commissioner of the State Finance Department asking him to send a finance officer to assist the PAC.
He requested the Commissioner (Finance) to send an officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary to assist the PAC in discussions about the financial transactions of PWD, Power, Transport and Taxation Departments.
A meeting slated on December 6 was postponed due to the non-appearance of the finance officer, Radhabinod said.
He then tried to contact the Chief Secretary but he was told by a staff member in the CS's office that the CS was attending a meeting.
Radhabinod said that the attitude of the Finance Department tantamounts to a contempt and moved the House to refer the matter to the Privilege and Ethics Committee of the House.
Deputy Speaker who conducted the House ruled that the matter should be taken seriously.
The House then unanimously resolved to refer the matter to Privilege and Ethics Committee to come up with a recommendation regarding action that can be taken up against the responsible officers of the Finance Department.