Wednesday, November 9 2005 16:47 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chandigarh: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Nov 9, 2005) ruled out resignation of Natwar Singh from the Union Cabinet saying any further action in this regard would be taken after completion of the two probes into the Volcker Committee report that had named the Congress and the minister as beneficiaries of Iraqi oil pay-offs.

"Whatever action could have been done (at this stage) has been taken," Singh told reporters informally after delivering the P N Haksar memorial lecture here.

The Prime Minister assured that the enquiry into the issue would be conducted in a 'fair' manner and the terms of reference and other details of the probe would be announced soon.

Asked if he saw a hidden hand behind the naming of Natwar Singh, who has been divested of the External Affairs portfolio, and the Congress, Singh said, "I will not like to say anything that may prejudice the probe."

He also rejected a suggestion that there had been a delay in the action taken by the Government in the matter.

"At the very first opportunity we had said that action will be taken in the matter", the Prime Minister said.

The Government has ordered two probes into the matter one by former diplomat Virender Dayal, who has been named special envoy to collect relevant material in the Volcker Report from the United Nations and other countries and a judicial probe by for Chief Justice of India R S Pathak.