Cong denies hand in notice served to Natwar

New Delhi, Sep 4 (UNI) The Congress today clarified that it had nothing to do with the notice served on suspended party leader and former External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh by the Enforcement Directorate in the Iraqi Oil-for-Food Scam revealed by the Volcker Committee.

"It is the jurisdiction of a Government department and the Congress has nothing to do with it,"Congress Spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said.

It is a departmental legal process which had been initiated even before the R S Pathak Authority had submitted its report on the Volcker allegation,he told reporters here.

Asked about full rupee convertibility suggested by the Tarapore Committee, Mr Singhvi said it was only in proposal stage and no final decision had been taken about it by the Union Cabinet or Government.

It was only an option being considered by the Government and no final decision had been taken."It is in a premature stage" and decision can be taken only after consultations with the stake holders.

About Vande Mataram controversy,Mr Singhvi said there was no divergence of views on the matter between the AICC and the Government. All concerned should sing Vande Mataram collectively and joyously and show respect to the national song.

To a question whether Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was being hindered from undertaking reshuffle of his Cabinet, Mr Singhvi replied in the negative saying it was the Prime Minister's prerogative to decide when to undertake the reshuffle and how to do it. He would take the decision.There was no question of being hindered.

UNI YS RP HT1940