Saturday, November 12 2005 17:11 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Thiruvananthapuram: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu today (Nov 12, 2005) said that the enquiry ordered by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government into the charges in the Volcker panel report lacked credibility as there were legal and functional impediments before Justice R S Pathak, who is heading the probe.

Addressing a face-to-face programme arranged by the Kesari Memorial Journalists trust here, Naidu said the Pathak probe would not be able to collect international evidence.

"What is required is a systematic trace of money exchange. This requires a criminal investigation with Indian authorities seeking co-operation of foreign Governments," Naidu said.

He said the UPA Government should explain why it took so long to order a probe after they 'rubbished' the Volcker report.

Natwar Singh had been making 'abrasive' statements against everybody, including the United Nations (UN), United States (US) and the Volcker panel. Singh had also made statements against India's declared foreign policy in recent days, Naidu alleged.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had stated that the evidence against Singh was insufficient and had assured the minister that he would get back his portfolio once he was cleared of the charges.

The Communist Party of India - Marxists (CPI-M), supporting the UPA, had also told the Congress that they need not be apologetic about the contents of the Volcker report.

"Singh has been given a clean chit even before the probe is over. Then what is this enquiry for?" Naidu asked.