Congress to serve show cause notice to Natwar

New Delhi, Aug 7 (UNI) Acting on the findings of the R S Pathak Inquiry Authority report holding Mr Natwar Singh guilty of misusing his position, the Congress has decided to serve show cause notice to the former External Affairs Minister.

The decision to serve show cause notice was taken at a high level meeting of the Congress at party President Sonia Gandhi's residence, sources said.

Meanwhile, Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said, ''While no notice has been sent so far to Mr Natwar Singh, disciplinary action against him cannot be ruled out, if he crosses the Lakshman rekha.'' The decision to take disciplinary action agianst Mr Natwar Singh follows his action of moving a breach of privilege motion against the Prime Minister for the leakage of the Report on Volcker allegations.

The party is also unhappy over Mr Singh's meetings with NDA leaders and UPA allies supporting the government from outside.

The R S Pathak Committee has indicted Mr Singh, holding him guilty of misusing his position in securing a contract from Iraq for Mr Andaleeb Sehgal and others.

Mr Singh has been accused of being a non-contractual beneficiary of the UN Oil for Food Programme in Iraq in the report.

Mr Natwar Singh said he has been made a scapegoat in the report which has exonerated the Congress.

The show cause notice is likely to be served on Mr Singh shortly, asking him to show cause, why he wrote letters to secure all contracts from Iraq in his capacity as the Chairman of the foreign cell of the Congress.

UNI YS LL RS2318