The parliamentary committee on public undertakings today asked ex-ACC chief Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury, former secretary Md Delwar Hossain and two commissioners for explanation of their absence from today’s meeting.
The parliamentary body in it’s today’s meeting decided to issue letters asking them to explain seven days before the next meeting of the committee on June 2 why they were absent from the meeting today.
Committee Chairman Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir termed the failure to attend the meeting by former Anti-Corruption Commission chairman Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury, former secretary Md Delwar Hossain and two commissioners as contempt of parliament and said it has been reported to the parliamentary committee on law ministry.
He also said a joint meeting of the two parliamentary bodies on June 2 will decide the next course of action on this issue.
Immediate past ACC chief Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury has already refused to appear before the parliamentary committee, ATN Bangla reports.
The cabinet secretary, Comptroller and Auditor-General, National Board of Revenue (NBR) chairman however attended the meeting.
On April 7, the committee in a letter asked the ACC to send the commission’s latest annual report, latest audit report and documents on its activities and recent problems to it two days before the scheduled meeting with the commission high-ups.
But the next day, the ACC refused to appear before the parliamentary body with documents saying the summons is "beyond jurisdiction of the committee."
In defence, the ACC said the commission is fulfilling its accountability to the president by submitting its yearly report under section 29 of the ACC Act for placing before parliament.
The ACC, which has questioned the committee’s jurisdiction to examine its activities, did not send any documents sought by the committee till yesterday, said Parliament Secretariat officials working for the committee.
They said parliament has empowered all its committees to summon the witnesses to appear in person, examine their submission on oath and call for documents.
The rules of procedure have elaborated the committee’s authority, the officials added.