Members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) from the Seemandhra region will boycott the PAC meeting scheduled for Wednesday as a mark of protest against the 'adamant attitude' of PAC Chairman Nagam Janardhan Reddy.
This was revealed to mediapersons at the Assembly mediapoint by PAC member and Congress MLA Anam Ramnarayana Reddy. The MLA alleged that the PAC Chairman has not fulfilled his responsibilities, and has failed to convene the PAC meetings, despite the allegation that corruption is widespread in some government schemes and projects.
The Congress leader also said that Janardhan Reddy has failed to conduct inspections over these allegations. He added that the members of the Seemandhra region will boycott the PAC meeting to evince protest at the Chairman's failure to inspect the implementation of the projects and schemes.
He also alleged that Janardhan Reddy has violated the rules and regulations by convening the PAC meeting during an ongoing Assembly session.
Ramnarayan Reddy also questioned the rationale behind convening a meeting at a time when Deputy Speaker Nadendla Manohar has issued a notification about electing a new PAC chief, as Janardhan Reddy's tenure has come to an end.
The Congress MLA further expressed his dismay at the current state of affairs at the PAC by saying that he was unwilling to become a PAC member for the second time successively. He said that he was disappointed since the PAC members have not done carried out their responsibilities properly.
He further alleged that Janardhan Reddy has lobbied with contractors, and alleged that the PAC Chairman has received kickbacks from the contractors.
Senior Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Nannapaneni Rajakumari also alleged that Janardhan Reddy has failed to carry out his responsibilities as the PAC chief.
"We have not inspected even a single project," she said, and added that, "Whenever a PAC meeting is convened, Janardhan Reddy gets it adjourned."
She also said that despite lodging complaints against Janardhan Reddy with TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu, there has been no change in the PAC Chairman.
However, Rajakumari stated she would attend the PAC meeting on Wednesday.