Srinagar, Oct 24 (IANS): Jammu and Kashmir assembly speaker Mubarak Gul Thursday issued a notice to former army chief V.K. Singh asking him to explain within 20 days the allegations that politicians in the state were paid from the army's secret funds.

Sources said a decision on summoning the former army chief before the assembly would only be taken after studying V.K. Singh's reply.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mir Saifullah told reporters in Srinagar his office received a copy of the notice and if the retired general failed to submit his reply within the stipulated period, the speaker could issue a warrant against him.

The notice has been issued in response to a breach of privilege motion moved by 15 ministers and members in the assembly's autumn session.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah told the legislature during the session he had written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking action against the former army chief for damaging the image of politicians in the state.

General V.K. Singh, during an interview to a New Delhi-based television news channel, had alleged that the army had been using secret funds to pass on money to mainstream politicians in Jammu and Kashmir since 1947.