New Delhi, Dec 14 (IANS) Stating that he was aware of the "nervousness in the corporate sector" over phone tapping, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday asked Cabinet Secretary K.M. Chandrasekhar to look into the matter and submit a report within a month.

"I am aware of the nervousness in the corporate sector arising out of the powers conferred upon the government authorities to tap the phones for protecting national security and preventing tax evasion and money laundering," Manmohan Singh said at the inaugural session of the India Corporate Week here.

His comments come in the wake of Ratan Tata raising concern over the leak of his conversation with corporate lobbyist Nira Radia.

"While these powers are needed, they have to be exercised with utmost care and under well defined rules, procedures and mechanism so that they are not misused," he said.

"Legal mechanisms already in place should be stringent for more effective enforcement. I am asking the cabinet secretary to look into these issues and report back to the cabinet within the next month," the prime minister added.