Pathankot attack: Home Ministry seeks more time from Par panel

Citing ongoing investigations by the NIA, the Home Ministry has sought some more time from a parliamentary committee to share details on the Pathankot terror attack.
The Parliamentary Standing Commitee on Home Affairs chaired by Congress MP from Rajya Sabha P Bhattacharya will now hear the Home Secretary on the recent disaster in Chennai caused by torrential rainfall and consequent flooding on January 18 as per the revised agenda.
The panel has now asked the ministry to come with a response on Pathankot issue in a week's time.
After the panel sent an agenda to the Home Ministry last week expressing its willingness to discuss the Pathankot attack, Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi sent a written reply to the panel chairman citing at least three reasons as to why the government is not willing to discuss the issue before the Parliamentary panel at this stage.

The Home Secretary is learnt to have told the panel that NIA has taken up the investigation and some information, which has been received, need in-depth investigation.
He is also learnt to have to communicated to the panel Chairman that the government cannot explain all those details at this moment and will appreciate if the panel gives some more time.

While agreeing to the government's request, the panel is learnt to have told the ministry to equip itself with facts on the issue and be ready to appear before the panel in a week.
When asked why the agenda of the Monday meeting of the panel has been changed, Bhattacharya told PTI that the panel has agreed to give some more time to the government.

"We will call another meeting of the panel in the next seven days to discuss the Pathankot terror attack. I will also communiate this in writing to the government," he said.
There is a view among the Opposition members in the panel that the government has "much to explain" on the issue.
The Parliamentary Standing Commitee on Home Affairs had earlier listed it in the agenda for the Monday meeting. Government has repeatedly been attacked by Congress on the Pathankot terror attack.
In the 31-member panel, the BJP has 13 members, Congress-04, BJD-02, Trinamool Congress-02, AIADMK-03, CPI-M, CPI, SP, TRS, TDP, Shiromani Akali Dal and Shiv Sena one each. NDA members have majority in the panel.