With the government strategically slotting a debate on the Pathak Inquiry Authority Report in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, Natwar Singh’s ‘‘personal explanation’’ on the report that indicts him as a non-contractual beneficiary in the Iraqi oil-for-food scam would become ‘‘infructuous’’.

As per Rule 214, an opportunity can be given to ‘‘an affected party”, in this case Natwar Singh, to make a personal statement only in isolation, but not when the issue is discussed/debated in the House in the same Session.

‘‘We have no objection if the Pathak Report is discussed in Rajya Sabha on Monday,’’ Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi said, adding that a final decision will be taken in the morning meeting with the Rajya Sabha Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.

The government decision to open the subject for a debate would make the 10-point draft that Natwar Singh submitted to the Rajya Sabha for the chairman’s consideration become infructuous and irrelevant, officials said.

The 10-points he submitted were already curtailed to ‘‘non-debatable’’ four to five points as rules only allow ‘‘restricted statement’’. It was put up for the Chair’s apprisal and consent today evening.

‘‘A personal explanation cannot be on debatable matters as it has to be a restricted submission,’’ officials added. Hence, the references targeting Pathak, the Prime minister and Sonia Gandhi could not have featured in the statement, one of the reasons which may have prompted him to go public today.

However, sources said, that he could have a chance to take part in the debate ‘‘if he comes forward to give a request. He would be able to talk more freely.’’