Absenteeism of Permanent Secretaries during Public Accounts Committee submission is disrespectful - Maharaj

The absenteeism of Permanent Secretaries to Public Accounts Committees is worrying as last week from the four submissions, only two Permanent Secretaries appeared while none appeared before the Committee this week.

Opposition MP and Member of Public Accounts Committee, Alvick Maharaj stressed this during the Public Submission for the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration on the review of the 2020, 2021 and 2022 Audit Reports on General Administration Sector.

Maharaj says the Committee is dealing with modified reports and it's not wise that Permanent Secretaries excuse themselves because the Committee is responsible for scrutinizing the government spending.

He says it's the responsibility of Permanent Secretaries to appear themselves before the Committee and it's highly disrespectful.

The Opposition MP says we need to relay a very strong message to all Permanent Secretaries because it has been brought to the Committee previously.

Maharaj further says if it’s an unmodified report, it's a different matter, but modified reports are not even presented on time.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Sakiusa Tubuna says they will be advising Permanent Secretaries to make it a priority when they are being asked to come and submit before the Committee.

Tubuna says they need to be always available and if they are not, they should advise in advance.