The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was denied a visit to Leh by Defence Ministry

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PAC, a Parliamentary Committee headed by Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, last month received the nod from Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla to visit Ladakh to meet the soldiers. This visit was for examining the working conditions of soldiers in high-altitudes.

The Defence Ministry said in a letter that “it may not be advisable” for the MPs to visit the region, due to the standoff with China along the Line of Actual Control.

Earlier this year, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) released a report mentioning that Indian troops based in Siachen and Ladakh faced acute shortage of appropriate clothing and equipment, including snow goggles, because of delays in procurement.

The letter from the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) of the Ministry of Defence stated that both the sides are at close proximity and all officers are occupied with ensuring safety in case of escalation. And it is not advisable for the delegation to visit the area at the moment. A new date would be generated when the conditions become appropriate.