NEW DELHI: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament, headed by Congress leader K C Venugopal, has decided not to summon Sebi chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch for its next meeting on November 19. Buch, who is facing allegations of conflict of interest raised by US-based short-seller Hindenburg, was asked to appear before the panel on October 24, but she skipped the meeting at the last hour citing personal reasons.
The meeting was postponed after officials informed the PAC about Buch’s inability to attend the meet. Venugopal later said the Sebi chairperson had sought exemption from appearing before the panel but he denied the request. Although her no-show could be considered as contempt of the panel, Venugopal said the committee took a lenient view on grounds of the official being a lady.
According to the schedule published on the Lok Sabha website, the PAC has decided to call representatives of the coal ministry on the financial scam involving Dewan Housing Finance Corporation for its next meeting on Tuesday. The subject list has no mention of summoning Buch and Sebi officials.