Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Natwar issue

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's decision to relieve Natwar Singh of his External Affairs portfolio, name Virendra Dayal as a special envoy to liaise with the United Nations to collect relevant information, and appoint Justice R.S. Pathak to hold an inquiry into the allegations of the Volcker report is sensible. It enhances the UPA Government's image.

C.A.C. Murugappan,
Kothamangalam, T.N.

* * *

Though it took some time, the Government has come out with the best solution to the current crisis. By taking away Mr. Natwar Singh's portfolio, it has prepared the ground for an independent inquiry. A better response could not have been expected.

T. Karthikeyan,
Madurai, T.N.

* * *

Kudos to Dr. Manmohan Singh for his handling of the Volcker episode. He has dealt with the issue systematically without giving any room for complacency. His swift action has put the Opposition in a real spot now.

Tharcius S. Fernando,
Chennai

* * *

The setting up of two probes and the action against Mr. Natwar Singh are truly commendable actions. Hats off to the Government.

Kiran Annapragada,
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.

* * *

One hopes that Justice Pathak will be allowed to conduct the investigation thoroughly and independently without any political interference.

R. Anuradha Rajappa,
Batlagundu, T.N.

* * *

A time limit should be fixed for the Justice Pathak committee to investigate the matter and publish the findings.

T. Prabhakara Rao,
Machilipatnam, A.P.

* * *

It is also necessary to order an independent investigation into allegations of kickbacks against all the Indian companies mentioned in the report in order to be fair to Mr. Natwar Singh and the Congress.

D.B.N. Murthy,
Bangalore

* * *

It is sad that Mr. Natwar Singh, despite the seriousness of the charges levelled against him, has merely been relieved of the External Affairs portfolio and allowed to continue as Union Minister.

It shows the UPA Government in a poor light.

A. Mohamed Aslam,
Madurai, T.N.

* * *

The Volcker report has named both Mr. Natwar Singh and the Congress as beneficiaries of the Iraqi oil largesse. However, only Mr. Natwar Singh has been "punished." Why?

R.R.S. Arni,
Hyderabad

* * *

It is the established convention that when an inquiry commission is appointed the Minister concerned is made to resign till he is absolved of the charges.

But in the present case, Mr. Natwar Singh has been allowed to continue as a Minister without portfolio.

V.N. Gopal,
Chennai

* * *

Mr. Natwar Singh should have set a precedent by resigning the moment the report was made public. That he chose not to is a sad commentary on the state of our politics.

Bojja Raghavendar Reddy,
Hyderabad

* * *

Mr. Natwar Singh, a public figure with a good reputation, should not have clung to power when there was a clear case for him to resign. His inaction has resulted in his being made a Minister without portfolio.

V.K. Narasimhan,
Secunderabad

* * *

An External Affairs Minister can easily expose any baseless allegations levelled against him. But no serious attempt has been made in this connection by the person concerned.

Mathew Koshy,
Tiruvalla, Kerala

* * *

Had Mr. Singh confined himself to merely rejecting the allegations in the Volcker report he would not have drawn the criticism he is now attracting from all and sundry. Instead, he chose to adopt an aggressive posture and has paid for it.

K.R.P. Gupta,
Mumbai

* * *

Mr. Singh may be innocent but a charge has been levelled against him and it is only right that he remains out of the External Affairs Ministry till the probe committee report is published.

T.V. Narayana,
Nellore, A.P.

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