Thursday, November 3 2005 20:24 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: As a political controversy raged over the Volcker Committee report implicating Congress and External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh as beneficiaries in Iraqi oil deals, Government today (Nov 3, 2005) hinted at a probe into the allegations on which a decision will be announced shortly.

"Government is determined to go to the root of the matter and establish the truth or otherwise of these (unverified) references. The matter is under the serious consideration of the Government and a decision will be announced shortly," said a press release issued by Prime Minister's Media Adviser Sanjaya Baru.

The statement came shortly after Natwar Singh was called by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to his residence and on a day when BJP stepped up its offensive seeking the minister's dismissal, registration of a criminal case against him and a thorough investigation.

The release said "the government is deeply concerned about the unverified references made in the Volcker Committee report to the Congress Party and the External Affairs Minister.

"The Volcker Committee report, as it stands today, is insufficient to arrive at any adverse or definitive conclusion," it said.

Asked whether an inquiry could be ordered, Baru told reporters, 'can be there'.