Cong: CBI May Reopen HDW Case If New Facts Arise

New Delhi, Nov 3 (UNI) The Central Bureau of Investigation is entitled to reopen an old HDW submarine case if new facts come to light, a Congress party spokesman today said.

Congress Spokesman Abhishek Singhvi was answering queries on a reported revelation in a video tape about alleged involvement of some senior Congress leaders in the HDW submarine deal He said the CBI had been entrusted with the inquiry long year ago. If the new facts have emerged then the CBI is entitled to reopen the case.

He pleaded ignorance about reported nomination of Youth Congress leaders on the advisory boards of the Central Board of Film Certification, saying the matter concerned the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.

''We don't have details,'' he told reporters. ''Ask the I&B Ministry.'' On persistent query, Mr Singhvi shot back: Do you think BJP workers will be accommodated, if not Congress workers.'' Mr Singhvi justified Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's call for fair share of jobs to the minorities. There was nothing wrong in demanding fair share for different sections of society. He clarified that the Prime Minister had not called for religion-based reservation of jobs.

He dismissed as speculation all talk about Sachar Committee report and said the Committee had not yet submitted its report and had sought more time which had been granted to it.

Mr Singhvi reiterated that the Centre and the State Government could not possibly have done more than they did to take up the cause of traders facing sealing of their establishments. "Every possible attempt has been made to treat it as a human problem. We have tried our best.,"he said,adding it was for the court to decide.

About the falling trend in the international price of crude, the Congress Spokesman said the Govenment would observe the trend and taking a holistic view would decide on reduction in the price of petrol.

UNI YS RP ND1944